The Sociology of Crime
Sociology has traditionally had three classic concerns that are relevant to the study of crime. One area of concern is power and domination (Max Weber). Sociology can help us understand the social dynamics by which some individuals and social groups are able exert force on others, thereby creating as well as maintaining and enforcing relations of social inequality. Of course, an area of focus that is very much related to this concerns the study of social conflict, especially social class conflict (Karl Marx). A classic Marxist approach to the study of crime might ask: how does modern capitalism, distinguished by social class polarization, contribute to the production of crime and social unrest?
Sociology is also concerned with the maintenance and reproduction of social order (Emile Durkheim). How does society exist? How does it cohere and “hang together” as it were? What keeps society from breaking down into what Thomas Hobbes called a “war of all against all?”
Another area of focus involves governance and control. The interest in studying the management of human affairs implicates criminal justice institutions like the police, courts, and prisons. This further involves schools, hospitals, and armies – what some might refer to as modern organizations. Altenatively, social theorists might call them agents of social control.
And finally, there is a concern with studying things that are distinctly “social” (as opposed to, for example, things that are “biological” or “cognitive”).
Social Structure Theories of Crime
There is a group of theories in the social sciences dedicatied to understanding the role played by social structure in crime. To this end, three subgroups of structural theories have been articulated by sociologists and criminologists which are thought to help identify potential root causes of crime. Why is this important? Because when researcheres are able to identify root causes, they are able to find solutions to solve problems.
Social structure theories suggest that an individual’s place in the socioeconomic structure may exert a major influence on their chances of becoming a criminal. According to this line of thinking, poor people are more likely to commit crimes because they may be frustrated/impeded when they try to achieve success through convention means. Crime results when they are unable to achieve monetary or social success in any other way.
Social Disorganization Theory: This theory places a significant amount of responsibility for criminal behavior upon an individual’s residential location. Social disorganization theory directly links the crime rate of a given neighborhood to its ecological characteristics. It might be used to explain that slum dwellers violate the law because they live in areas where social control has broken down.
Strain Theory: Strain theories view crime as resulting from the anger and frustration that people experience over their inability to achieve legitimate social and economic success. These theories hold that most people share common values and beliefs but the ability to achieve them is differentiated throughout the social structure. Strain theories call attention to certain strains or stressors that may act as triggers for crime.
For example, people might use crime as a way to get revenge on someone who is causing the pressure, or they may resort to crime to alleviate financial pressure. They also may turn to illicit drugs to help offset some of the pressure. Consequently, when placed under strain, the way they may deal with the increased strain is through crime.
There are a number of different variations of strain theory, the best known of which are by Emile Durkheim and Robert Merton. They each theorize in different ways what happens when social controls are lacking (Durkheim) and people have inadequate means to satisfy their needs (Merton).
Cultural Deviance Theory: Cultural deviance theories hold that a unique value system develops in lower class areas. Lower-class values approve of behaviors such as being tough, never showing fear, and defying authority.
Cloward and Ohlin argue that crime results from lower-class people’s perceptions that their opportunities for success are limited.
Durkheim and Strain (Anomie) Theory
The French anthropologist, Emile Durkheim, helped to establish sociology as a science by objectively studying social facts- i.e. suicide. He believed that shared values and customs helped to hold societies together. Most notably, he theorized that the division of labor in society (the labor mechanism) replaced religion as the primary basis of social cohesion.
Major concepts that are important to his studies are “Anomie” – refers primarily to a loss of moral control and standards, which leads to a feeling of normlessness and despair; as well as two different types of social solidarity – “Mechanical Solidarity” and “Organic Solidarity.”
Durkheim’s Theory of Crime
Durkheim argues that crime is inevitable for two main reasons:
- Everyone is socialized differently and some people may not be effectively socialized. Poor socialization means that they do not accept the shared norms and values of mainstream society which can make them deviant.
- Modern society is also very complex, especially in large cities, where there are many people with many different cultures and lifestyles in a concentrated area. This causes the formation of subcultures and these subcultures may have norms and values that do not agree with the norms of mainstream society. For example, in some cultures, it is acceptable to eat with your hands but if such a person was residing in Europe, mainstream European society may see this practice as deviant.
Durkheim also believes that there tends to be anomie (normlessness) in modern society caused by the division of labor in society (workers vs. the owners of capital). Everyone does their own thing in their effort to get ahead and that leads to a weakened social solidarity and value consensus, which Durkheim believes leads to high levels of crime and deviance.
Yet while it may seem intuitive to argue that crime is bad for society (because it can lead to the breakdown of society), Durkheim gives us a functionalist perspective that argues the reverse may, in fact, be true; that too much crime is bad for society, but too little crime can also be bad. Highlighted below are two functions that he believes crime may serve in society:
Boundary maintenance – the whole purpose of the law and justice system is to “dramatize evil” in order to act as a warning to the law-abiding citizens. “Perp walks” of famous criminals and televised court proceedings can serve the functional purpose of solidifying boundaries that separate law-abiding citizens from criminals. People who follow the law can look at these examples and reassure themselves that they have good values, they follow the law, and this constitutes a form of social solidarity. “I am not like those people who commit crimes.
Adaption and change – when individuals challenge or go against the norms of their society, at first they are seen as deviants. However, challenging the norms of a society is what allows it to adapt and grow so that society can meet the functions of its members. Think of the freedom riders, who challenged social norms about where black people could legally occupy social space. When societies are too controlling and do not allow for adaption, the society may stagnate.
Difference Between “Anomie” & “Alienation”
What is the difference between Durkheim’s concept of anomie and Marx’s concept of alienation? This is a good question. One that is worthy of distinction, which the following chart illustrates:
One final word on anomie – “Anomie” is not something that you catch like the flu – it is a state of being and/or feeling that results when social norms and standards break down, which causes people to feel lost and not certain of their place or how they fit into society.
Robert Merton & Strain Theory
To keep things simple, we might say that Robert Merton adapted Durkheim’s theory and gave it a more contemporary spin. His particular adaptation emphasized both structural and cultural factors, where he emphasized the economic dimensions of social strain.
Adaptations to Strain
Adaptations. Goals. Means. Conformity. Accept. Innovation. Reject. Ritualism. Retreatism. Rebellion. Replace.
Means vs. Goals
Criticisms of Strain Theory
Durkheim never really states precisely what level of crime is the right amount in a given society. And just because crime may serve a function in society does not necessarily mean that the society is deliberately creating crime in order for the functions of it to be prevalent. DH never specifically addresses how crime affects individuals and/or groups in society. DH does not address how crime can weaken solidarity and increase isolation – i.e. women may self-isolate, not trust men, or stay in at night due to the fear of rape.
One general critique of strain theory is that it overemphasizes the role of social class in crime and deviance.
Functionalist and strain theories, while they may do a good job of explaining the relationship between macro social structure and deviance and crime, nonetheless, they neglect the individual and interpersonal and aspects of crime, which may be more effectively examined through a symbolic interactionist approach. Symbolic interactionism is able to address issues of socialization – how unique peer groups influence the meanings and symbols an individual attaches to certain behaviors or ideals.
For example, symbolic interactionists might point to labeling theory to demonstrate how an individual within his social circle (family, friends…) might be labeled as deviant based on their values that they impose on him (Brym and Lie, 2007:198). The metamorphosis of culture, primary and secondary socialization, also enhance the socio-cultural context of deviance and crime – in this aspect, the functionalist (focusing on macrostructures) framework is more rigid and too general.
Social learning theory (i.e. Sutherland’s Differential Association Theory) further extends the idea of people’s propensity to turn to deviance and crime having been socialized in contexts with differing levels of exposure to it (Brym and Lie, 2007:197). Crime, in other words, is learned within an interpersonal and group social context.
Labeling theory and Social Learning Theory are able to more successfully bridge the gap between social class differences when accounting for crime, unlike the functionalist and strain theory approach, whose explanations are more focused on explaining he behavior of the poor and lower classes.
For more extensive reading on criticism of strain theory you can look to the following sources:
| Doesn’t explain conformity: Travis Hirschi, Bonding (or Control) Theory |
| 2. Doesn’t consider “illegitimate opportunity”: Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin, Subculture Theory |
| 3. Overlooks social interaction and group processes: Albert Cohen, Subculture Theory |
| 4. Assumes a common culture in the U.S.: Walter Miller, Lower-Class Culture Theory |
| 5. Ignores social control: Howard Becker, Labeling Theory |
| 6. Overlooks “crime in the suites”—crimes by the wealthy and powerful: Richard Quinney, Conflict Theory |
A Summary of the Evolution of Strain Theory
Policy Implications of Strain Theory
The most immediate policy impact of strain theory is that it demonstrates the importance of educational and vocational training opportunities and programs. These types of programs can offer opportunity and coping mechanisms for individuals, who might be dealing with economic stress and are desiring non-criminal approaches to addressing their needs.
Research shows that interventions are necessary for high-risk youth, who do not always have the intrinsic motivation to participate in organized structured activity, which can lead them to successful economic outcomes and thereby avoid offending/crime. Providing a person with a job or preparation for a job has been shown to be key to leading a stable life. Thus, they will feel less stressed or strained.
What is the Chicago School of Criminology?
The traditional Chicago School of Criminology (sometimes called the ecological school) refers to work conducted by faculty and students at the University of Chicago, who utilized a macro-sociological theory called “social disorganization” to understand why crime and delinquency rates are higher in some neighborhoods than others. It played a major role during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in shaping the general theoretical and analytic foundation of criminology that was at that time a mere fledgling discipline.
The department’s influence still can be detected in much contemporary criminological research. This work actually subsumed a wide variety of conceptual and methodological orientations, and references to a single “Chicago School” of thought represent an oversimplification of the rich intellectual diversity of the department.
Insights generated in the area of urban sociology played an especially critical role in the development of American criminology.
Ecological Theories – Park & Burgess
The Chicago School of Criminology is identified with neighborhood studies of crime and delinquency that focus particularly on the spatial patterns of such behavior, especially as reflected in maps of their spatial distributions. However, such a characterization is at best a caricature of the rich insights that were fostered by the intellectual context of the University of Chicago that shaped the orientation of these early criminologists.
Social Disorganization Theory – Studies of Delinquency
The origin of social disorganization theory can be traced to the work of two Chicago School criminology researchers, Clifford Shaw and Henry D. McKay, who concluded that disorganized areas marked by divergent values and transitional populations produce criminality.
Social Disorganization Theory focuses on the absence or breakdown of social control mechanisms (it share obvious links with social control theory). One of the key assumptions of social disorganization theory is that a person’s physical location and social environment are primarily responsible for the behavioral choices that a person makes. According to the theorists, if someone grows up in a disadvantaged area where delinquency and crime are seen as acceptable, they are more likely to participate in criminal activities. Neighborhoods that appear to be disorganized or not cared for potentially serve as a signal to criminals that no one is watching and/or no one cares.
Social disorganization theory is widely used as an important predictor of youth violence and crime. Shaw and McKay noted that neighborhoods with the highest crime rates had three common problems: physical dilapidation, poverty, and higher levels of ethnic and culture mixing.
In light of this, the two theorists held that delinquency was not an individual level pathology, rather, it was a normal response by normal individuals to adjust to abnormal conditions.
In Causes of Delinquency (1969) Travis Hirschi argued that variations in delinquent behavior among youth could be explained by variations in the dimensions of the social bond, namely attachment to others, commitments to conventional goals, acceptance of conventional moral standards or beliefs, and involvement in conventional activities. The greater the social bonds between a youth and society, the lower the odds of involvement in delinquency.
When social bonds to conventional role models, values and institutions are aggregated for youth in a particular setting, they measure much the same phenomena as captured by concepts such as network ties or social integration. But the fact that these theories focus on the absence of control or the barriers to progress, means that they are ignoring the societal pressures and cultural values that drive the system Merton identified in the Strain Theory or the motivational forces Cohen proposed were generating crime and delinquency.
Modern theorists like Empey (1967) argue that the system of values, norms and beliefs can be disorganized in the sense that there are conflicts among values, norms and beliefs within a widely shared, dominant culture. While condemning crime in general, law-abiding citizens may nevertheless respect and admire the criminal who takes risks and successfully engages in exciting, dangerous activities. The depiction of a society as a collection of socially differentiated groups with distinct subcultural perspectives that lead some of these groups into conflict with the law is another form of cultural disorganization, is typically called cultural conflict.
Other versions of the theory sometimes use different terminology to refer to the same ecological causal processes. For example, Crutchfield, Geerken and Gove (1982: 467-482) hypothesize that the social integration of communities is inhibited by population turnover and report supporting evidence in the explanation of variation in crime rates among cities. The greater the mobility of the population in a city, the higher the crime rates. These arguments are identical to those proposed by social disorganization theorists and the evidence in support of it is as indirect as the evidence cited by social disorganization theorists. Here, by referring to social integration rather than disintegration, this research has not generated the same degree of criticism as social disorganization theory.
Cultural & Subcultural Theories of Crime
Subcultural theory argues that certain groups develop norms and values that are different from those of other members of society. Those values are communicated to participants through a process of socialization. Crime and deviance is thus a reaction by a group who decides to opt out of the value system of the major culture.
Policy Implications
Discussion Questions
Explain the differences between Durkheim and Merton’s strain theories.
Give a contemporary example of a crime that might be explained by Merton’s strain theory.
What does the term “Anomie” mean?
Explain how social disorganization theory might explain crime and deviance in neighborhoods with which you have some familiarity.
Durkheim’s Anomie Theory focuses more on the idea of what is normal in society, mostly when there’s a breakdown of social norms because of a quick change or instability. He argued that society needs clear norms and values to function efficiently. When the norms are unclear or inconsistent, people become disconnected from the conscience of society. It can lead someone to feel alienated and a higher likelihood of deviance. Durkheim saw anomie as a condition that affects society itself, which could then influence individuals to act outside societal expectations.
Merton’s Strain Theory on the other hand focuses on the strain that occurs when individuals have goals in mind but do not have the resources to complete that goal. Merton suggested that this strain leads individuals to adopt different “modes of adaptation,” which can include both conforming behavior and deviance. While Durkheim’s theory is more focused on the breakdown of norms at the societal level, Merton’s theory focuses more on individual responses to structural limitations.
Durkheim believed that shared values and customs helped to hold societies together. He introduced the concept of “anomie,” which is the breakdown of social order due to the loss of standards and values, normlessness. He believed that during periods of rapid social change, individuals might feel lost or disconnected, leading to deviant behavior. He emphasized the importance of social cohesion and integration. He argued that when individuals feel a strong connection to their society, they are less likely to engage in deviant behavior. Merton expanded on Durkheim’s ideas by introducing the concept of strain in relation to societal goals and the means available to achieve them. He argued that society sets culturally approved goals (like wealth or success) but does not provide equal means for everyone to achieve these goals. And when they cannot achieve the goals, they will turn to deviance. An example of a crime that might be explained by Merton’s strain theory would be cybercrime like identity theft or fraud. Someone may feel immense pressure to provide for their family or maintain a certain lifestyle and are unable to do it live the traditional way. In this scenario, rather than seeking the traditional employment route, they might involve themselves in cybercrime to achieve the financial success they want.
Anomie is a sociological concept that refers to a state of normlessness or breakdown of social norms and values within a society. It occurs when individuals feel disconnected from the community or experience a lack of purpose and direction due to the absence of accepted standards. Emile Durkheim popularized this term with his studies on isolation, failure , suicide tendencies, and how people end up with mental illness and committing crimes because of this. Durkheim’s concepts that are important to Anomie refers primarily to a loss of moral control and standards, which leads to a feeling of normlessness and despair. In summary, anomie describes the effects of a disordered or unstable social environment on individuals’ behavior and well-being.
Durkheim believed that rapid social change or a breakdown in social norms leads to a state of normlessness, leading to deviance. Merton focused on the gap between societal goals and the means to achieve them. These societal goals are wealth, success, and social status. When people can’t achieve goals through acceptable ways, they might turn to crime. A contemporary example of a crime that might be explained by Merton’s strain theory is corporate fraud. For example, people commit fraud to get rich in illegal ways. Anomie is the breakdown of social norms, leading to confusion and a lack of purpose. Crime is more likely in neighborhoods where people don’t know each other well and there’s little community control. The Cromwell Towers from the film are a good example of this. High poverty and frequent movement can weaken societal bonds, making it harder to maintain control of people, which can lead to more crime.
The differences between Durkheim and Merton’s strain theories, Durkheim theory focuses on the values, social norm breakdown and which could lead to answers, and the merton stain theory focuses on the society and unequal opportunities and also overpowering emphasis on success at all costs. Merton strain Theory gets into different methods conformity, innovation, Ritualism, Retreatism, Rebellion. What does the term “Anomie” mean? Anomie means to a loss of moral control and standards which leads to a feeling of normlessness and despair, and social solidarity and mechanical solidarity and organic solidarity. I would say an example is lack of connections with the community, economic stress, neglect. Symbolic interactionism can address issues such how unique peer groups influence the meanings and symbols an individual attaches to certain behaviors. Social disorganization theory explains crime and deviance in neighborhoods, someone in a lower class growing up in a high crime area are more than likely to also participate in crime activities by being influenced by peers or just by seeing things like crime on tv. Also unorganized and not cared for areas they think it is acceptable and think they will not get caught or no one cares enough to stop it, which is more youth violence and crime projected.
Durkheim theorized that crime is a normal part of social life and there is not much we can do to get rid of crime. He also believed that people that have poor social skills meant that they did not understand the social norms and were considered deviant. Merton actually adapted Durkheim’s concept within anomie and has stated that hierarchy and success has a huge impact when it comes to crime levels, and also acceptance or rejection of goals and the means of achieving that goal are also factors to crime.
An example of a crime with his strain theory could be when someone uses an illegal drug to make themselves feel much better or someone that wants to be rich but can’t get a job will find an illegal way to make a lot of money like selling drugs or weapons into the black market.
Anomie is a form of normlessness. So in instance, if someone did not do something that is socially accepted behavior, then there could be an anomic situation.
Social disorganization theory has to do with the fact that if someone grew up in a bad neighborhood, they have a higher chance of committing crime, especially if they are in low class or poverty status.
In Durkheim’s theory it is concentrated on social controls and in Merton’s it is focused on the same thing but a more modern style, Merton’s research was based on more culture. Anomie is the term Durkheim used to characterize the collapse of social norms. Anomie is the collapse of social order brought on by normlessness and the loss of standards and values.
Durkheim’s strain theory is different from Merton’s version of strain theory in the way that Merton’s version has a higher focus on cultural and structural factors, on the other hand Durkheim’s version has an increased focus on the economic factors towards social strain theory. An example of Merton’s version of social strain theory is citizens who have grown up in a lower income community with a high crime rate and have been given some sort of emotional trauma from those experiences, who later in life would turn to drugs to ease the pain from that trauma. The term “Anomie” refers to the loss of social order as a result of the population of citizens in a community all living without norms, or social regulation. Social disorganization theory could explain why crimes occur in some neighborhoods due to how it explains the sociological effects that some people feel after not being able to find success through legal ways.
The differences between Durkheim and Merton’s strain theories, Durkheim focuses on anomie, which refers to a breakdown of social norms that leads to confusion and deviance in complex societies. He believes that this normlessness makes crime inevitable. On the other hand, Merton expands on Durkheim’s ideas by highlighting the gap between societal goals and the means to achieve them. He describes various adaptations people might take when faced with this strain, including turning to crime as a way to succeed when legitimate paths are blocked.
Identity theft is an example of a crime explained by Merton’s theory. With rising living costs, many feel go through financial pressure, and when they can’t make enough money legitimately, some resort to illegal activities like stealing personal information to get sort of money illegally. Anomie is when people feel lost because society’s values break down. When this happens, it’s harder to know whats right or wrong, and people might start acting in ways that go against the rules. It’s like when the usual guidelines aren’t clear anymore.
Social disorganization theory can explain crime in neighborhoods with high poverty and weak community ties. In areas where people frequently move and lack strong connections, social norms against crime are less effective, making criminal behavior more common as residents struggle to cope with their challenging difficult environment.
Durkheim believed that rapid social change or a breakdown in social norms leads to a state of normlessness, leading to deviance. Merton focused on the gap between societal goals and the means to achieve them. These societal goals are wealth, success, and social status. When people can’t achieve goals through acceptable ways, they might turn to crime. A contemporary example of a crime that might be explained by Merton’s strain theory is corporate fraud. For example, people commit fraud to get rich in illegal ways. Anomie is the breakdown of social norms, leading to confusion and a lack of purpose. Crime is more likely in neighborhoods where people don’t know each other well and there’s little community control. High poverty and frequent movement can weaken societal bonds, making it harder to maintain control of people, which can lead to more crime.
Durkheim’s strain theory establishes sociology as a science, believing shared values and customs helped hold society together. One of the major concepts discussed in Durkheim’s strain theory is the concept of anomie, which ,according to Durkheim, is the breaking down of social order, due to the loss of standards and values (or normlessness). Merton, however, adapted Durkheim’s theory, expanding the strain theory to incorporate multiple “modes” and “methods” and using the concept of anomie to refer to contrasts of a culture’s goal norms, and norms concerning the appropriate means used to achieve these goals. Social disorganization theory is an idea that links an area’s ecological characteristics (factors that deal with the relations of humans to one another and to their physical surroundings) as well as its social control (or lack thereof) to the area’s crime rate. In other words, Social disorganization theory holds a person’s residential location partially responsible for that person’s rate of criminal activity. A good example of a neighborhood that suffers at the hands of social disorganization theory would be Canarsie, an area in Brooklyn, NY. The neighborhood has such a poor reputation that even the mention of it can spark concerned glances and remarks from listeners. Although I’ve only been to Canarsie once, I feel so familiarized due to how often I hear about the town, specifically warnings of how dangerous it is (due to crime).
The social disorganization theory explains crime in neighborhoods by examining how both the physical and social environment impact behavior. For example, let’s consider an urban neighborhood that is facing challenges. If there is a high poverty rate, frequent relocations, and a lack of community resources in this area, we could observe an increase in crime levels.
In these areas, residents frequently do not have the social connections necessary for maintaining community unity. If residents lack a sense of connection or familiarity with their neighbors, they are less motivated to monitor each other’s actions. Also, when local schools and community centers lack proper funding and attention, the social structure becomes even more fragile.
Due to this, youth in these regions may resort to joining gangs or engaging in other acts of misconduct, not because they are inherently “bad,” but because they are reacting to their surroundings. It is a method of searching for connection in a chaotic and unsupportive environment. Therefore, social disorganization theory highlights how community dynamics can result in crime and deviance, stressing the importance of building stronger social networks and resources for promoting safety and unity.
A society in which social norms and values have broken down is referred to as being in a state of “anomie” . It happens when people don’t feel like they belong in the greater social system, which leaves them feeling aimless and unclear about what is expected of them. Cybercrime, especially hacking for financial gain, is a modern example of a crime that can be described by Merton’s strain theory. When hackers cannot find or cannot access lawful paths, they may turn to illicit measures in order to fulfill the culturally desired aim of success and wealth. Five kinds of individual adaptation to societal objectives and means were recognized by Merton: innovation, ritualism, retreatism, innovation, and rebellion. According to Merton, deviation results from the mismatch between cultural objectives and socially acceptable methods of achieving them. The breakdown of social norms and values is the central theme of Durkheim’s strain theory, sometimes referred to as the anomie theory. He maintained that people experience anomie, which can result in abnormal behavior, when societal norms are unclear or they feel cut off from society as a whole. Social disorganization theory may be responsible for increased rates of property crimes, drug-related offenses, and vandalism in neighborhoods that I am familiar with. Due to weaker social links and less informal social direction, a lack of community involvement and limited economic prospects might foster an environment where criminal activity is more common.
Theorists Emile Durkheim and Robert Merton were both interested in power and crime. They both explored strain theories, which view crime as a result from anger and frustration that people experience over their inability to achieve social and economic success. Durkheim concentrated on people’s lack of social controls referred to as “anomie”. Durkheim believed crime was cause by two things, lifestyles and lack of socialization in societies. People are so involved in themselves and making sure they are successful, rather than society as a whole. Merton adapted Durkheim’s theory and gave it a more modern spin. Merton’s research was more based on structural and cultural elements. Those that sell drugs in order to become financially secure are an example of his theory. “Anomie” is the term Durkheim used to characterize the collapse of social norms. Anomie is the collapse of social order brought on by normlessness and the loss of standards and values. According to the social disorganization theory, a person’s conduct is largely influenced by their social surroundings and physical location. For example, someone who grows up in a poor area where most people sell drugs to make ends meet, will have the same behavior, as it is “normal”.
Durkheim and Merton both contributed to strain theory in sociology, but they had different ideas cause and effects of crime. Durkheim’s “Anomie theory” relies heavily on social norms and values of a person. When people see crime being normalized they feel as if it’s okay to do that crime as the people around them are also participative in the actions. He sees that society is a complex topic and that where you live also affects how that complex structure is made. He sees how suburban and urban areas differ and how it causes a subculture within society. He speaks on how it’s human nature for people to be in crime and not everyone have the same set of moral beliefs Merton’s approach is referred to as “Structural Strain Theory.” His idea followed the idea of how an environment is presented and how the people in that environment can develop in symbiosis with that environment. Merton explains his strain theory with 5 types of modes. Conformity, Innovation, Ritualism, Retreatism, and Rebellion are used to explain his perception of crime and how it works. Both focused on the idea that societal factors contribute to crime. Both of the theories focused on trying to explain the neurological effects on the brain.
Both Durkheim and Merton contributed perspectives to the strain theory, but they took different approaches. Strain theory is the idea that crimes take place as a result of people’s frustration and anger caused by a lack of social or economic success.
Durkheim said that crime was specifically caused by 2 things: a lack of socialization and differences in cultures and lifestyles. He believed that people were too focused on trying to reach success for themselves, which breaks down the success of society as a whole. A lack of collective sentiment, in other words, differences in values and beliefs, was causing society to break down according to him. Because of this, crime acted as something to bring society together because it got people thinking about social norms and what is considered right or wrong to do. Merton took these ideas from Durkheim and came up with another theory. He emphasized the fact that there are structural and cultural factors in society.
Social disorganization theory explains that there is a lack of social control depending on factors of a person’s life, such as what area they grew up in. The social environment of that area shapes them to become the people that they are, so growing up in a poverty-torn area where people are dependent on crime will raise someone who also participates in crime. The three problems with high-crime neighborhoods are physical dilapidation, poverty, and higher levels of mixing of ethics and cultures, further pushing this idea. As we have focused on in class, it makes sense that drug crime is higher in areas that struggle with poverty because people are dependent on it to support their lives. The social disorganization theory states exactly that.
Durkheim’s theorized that shared values and customs hold societies together specifically with the division of labor being the main unifying factor. The two types of solidarity, Mechanical and Organic, as well as the term “anomie” were critical concepts to his theory. Anomie refers to a loss of moral controls and standards, i.e., crime. Durkheim also argued that crime was inevitable, but different cities and countries have different definitions of it. Yet this definition and aversion to crime is theorized to strengthen social cohesion.
Similar to this was Merton’s theory which emphasized cultural and structural factors. Structural factors as relating to hierarchy and cultural factors referring to how people achieve their success. Adaptations to these strains included conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. A modern day example of this could be stealing or drug dealing. In lower socioeconomic neighborhoods people may but have the means to purchase all the items that they need or want. Especially with social media nowadays there’s more pressure than ever to live a “perfect life”, to have a nice house and expensive things, drive a fancy car, etc. So some people in these neighborhoods may accept the goal (to get these things), but reject the typically means of acquiring them, such as through stealing or drug dealing to obtain the money for it.
Merton’s strain theory could explain a contemporary crime of selling drugs. Merton’s theory is based on social and cultural factors. Those being hierarchy and success at all cost. Take a person who is living paycheck to paycheck in a poor community. Living that way can be very stressful, and that person is more than likely to do whatever it takes to no longer live that way. If a big drug dealer comes up to them saying there is an easier way to make quick money, nine times out of ten that person is not going to decline that offer. Their hierarchy is obviously not high. That person is most likely at the bottom of the community if they are living paycheck to paycheck, and that person is going to have the mentality of doing whatever it takes to provide for their family. They are willing to do whatever is needed to succeed. Merton’s strain theory would explain this because of the fact that their hierarchy is low, and therefore, they have the mindset that they have to succeed, no matter what it may cost them in the end. With the thought of that success being legit at the bottom of their thinking because they need the money. They are not going to debate long and hard on the offer. If they feel like they desperately need the money, they are going to whatever it is that is necessary in order to dig themselves out of the hole they may feel they are in.
Anomie, which means when things in society go all mixed up and the usual rules are forgotten, can be shown in different situations. Think of a quiet neighborhood where people are friends and know each other well.
Now, imagine a time when this peaceful place goes through a big money problem. Many folks lose their jobs, and it becomes hard to take care of their families like they used to. This makes people upset and frustrated. Friends start to fight, and some even do bad things because they’re desperate.
This is another example of anomie. When the money situation and the sense of community in the neighborhood fall apart, people forget how they usually act and do things they wouldn’t normally do. So, anomie isn’t just about big events; it can happen in smaller ways when the things that hold a community together start to break down in tough times.
I think social disorganization theory makes sense of the crimes we see in underprivileged neighborhoods. If you are born into a place where people lack education and turn to illegal activities to make ends meet, that becomes the normal behavior. Even if your own parents aren’t involved, as you make friends growing up, you are likely to follow what your friends are doing. When the social environment you are constantly around is disorganized and falling apart, with few positive role models, it’s easy to fall into the problematic behaviors you are surrounded by. If all your friends are joining gangs or selling drugs, you don’t have much incentive to break the cycle, since that’s all you know. When you’re raised surrounded by chaos and crime, it takes huge inner strength as a kid to not end up on that path too, especially when it seems normal. Later in life, even if you realize it’s not the best way, it can still be really hard to break out and pursue something like school or a career. Society often judges people from disadvantaged areas, so there’s an extra stigma to overcome. Once you’re older and want a different life, it’s super tough to suddenly get on the right track when your environment shaped you a certain way. The expectations and labels placed on people from rough neighborhoods make it even harder to chart a new course.
These theories in a basket refer to how crime is linked with cultural norms, and how they can change each other. Sort of how in different cultures some crimes here that are heinous are not in those areas. But the same could be said for us, like in certain religions countries a certain animal could be sacred and its killing is one of the worst crimes to them, yet is common here. It can also affect the people who do the crime, such as wanting to achieve a legitimate goal through non legitimate means.
Anomie is the lack of the usual social or ethical standards in an individual or group. This person usually chooses criminal use when the individual believes that there is no reason not to get involved with criminal activities. Durkheim sees anomie as a result of social disorganization and a lack of moral regulation, while Merton sees it as a result of the strain caused by the discrepancy between goals and means. An example of Morton’s theory was the thought they might be when they commit crimes such as illegal drug use. The other might lead to criminal behavior is rebellion some people might replace the means and the goals with new ones. In some cases it can lead to illegal protest or political violences. According to the theories, socially disorganized neighborhoods have lower levels of informal social control, this experiences higher crime rates when compared to more socially organized neighborhoods.
Durkheim’s theory centers on anomie, a state of normlessness or breakdown of social cohesion, which can lead to deviant behavior. He saw it as a result of rapid social change and lack of integration into society. Merton’s theory, on the other hand, builds upon Durkheim’s concept of anomie but focuses more on the disjunction between cultural goals and the means available to achieve them in society. He introduced the idea of “strain” resulting from this disjunction. Merton’s theory highlights the role of societal goals and means, suggesting that societal emphasis on success and achievement can lead to strain and deviance when individuals cannot achieve these goals through legitimate means. while both Durkheim and Merton’s strain theories address issues related to deviance, they differ in their emphasis, scope, and the specific aspects of strain and anomie they focus on. Durkheim’s theory is more concerned with social integration and anomie at the macro-level, while Merton’s theory concentrates on individual adaptations and the strain resulting from the discrepancy between cultural goals and the means available.
Overall, the two theories are pretty similar. Merton takes Durkheim’s theory and changes certain aspects, such as creating a larger emphasis on economic factors on crime. Merton elaborates on structural factors, such as hierarchy, and also cultural factors such as a culture stressing different ideals, like success at all costs.
In a basic sense, anomie means normalness. It assumes in society there is one larger culture that is the norm, and in an anomic situation one goes against this norm in their actions and behaviors.
Social disorganization theory explains crime in neighborhoods by examining how disorganization in the community and surrounding area contributes to criminals making their choices. On the outside looking in, I think this does apply to some neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, where the infrastructure is poor and often ignored and poverty is high, people may see this have the thought that no one cares, supporting the idea that in these poor communities’ crime is often resorted to because there are no other opportunities and pillars of support.
Strain theory is when they see crime as anger and frustration that people experience when they can’t achieve legitimate social and economic success.Durkheim and Merton both had their different opinions on what strain theories are. Durkheim believed that shared values and customs helped to improve societies. He has two main reasons why crime is inevitable. The first reason is how people do not accept shared norms and values of society which can make the act out. The second reason is people living in large cities with different cultures and lifestyles cause subcultures that have norms and values that are different from mainstream society. Merton adapted Durkheim theory by combining two things: structural factors and cultural factors. Structural factors are societies unequal opportunity structure. Cultural factors are basically success at all costs and doing anything that it takes to achieve success. Mertons strain theory also had adaptations to strain. Which are goals, means, conformity, acceptance, ETC.
The difference between Durkheim’s and Merton’s strain theories is Durkheim believes that shared values and customs help to hold societies together. He also believes that crime is created by society to improve society and maintain its order. Durkheim thinks that there tends to be anomie in modern society caused by the division of labor in society. Durkheim strain theory says that crime is inevitable because there are many people with a lot of different cultures and lifestyles in intensive areas and also he says that some people are socialized and others may not be effectively socialized a poor socialization means that people do not accept shared norms and values of mainstream society. Merton’s theory has a different point of view Merton adapted Durkheim’s theory. Robert Merton strain theory states that social structures may pressure citizens to commit crimes and he has two different factors one being Structural Factors meaning unequal opportunity structure (hierarchy) and the other one being Cultural Factors meaning overpowering emphasis on success at all costs. The similarities between Durkheim’s and Merton’s strain theory is that they both believe it impacts the function of society in some way that leads to anomie.
Emile Durkheim and Robert Merton, notable sociologists, present contrasting perspectives on the underpinnings of criminal behaviour. Durkheim delves into the concept of “anomie,” wherein societal norms deteriorate, leading to a state of moral ambiguity. In such circumstances, individuals may find themselves veering toward unlawful actions as they grapple with the disintegration of established moral codes.
Merton, conversely, probes the idea that people strive for success but might resort to criminal activities if legitimate pathways are limited. Consider insider trading in the financial markets as a contemporary illustration of Merton’s strain theory. Financial professionals facing heightened competition and economic pressures may engage in illicit actions to achieve financial prosperity when lawful methods appear inadequate.
These theories represent divergent lenses through which to comprehend criminal behaviour: Durkheim underscores societal influences on transgression, whereas Merton spotlights the role of thwarted ambitions in propelling individuals toward unlawful acts.
According to Durkheim, anomie is a situation in which cultural norms collapse because of rapid change. Robert Merton adapted Durkheim’s theory and gave it a more modern style. Merton changed the narrative a little, arguing that it was a mismatch between cultural norms and the means to achieve them. Merton’s statement is indeed easier to understand. For example, I recently saw a news story where a woman found out that her husband was cheating, so she angrily found and beat a third party. He was arrested as a result. This woman was betrayed, so she should do justice for herself, but her methods were not suitable. She can seek help from a lawyer or the law to fight her husband’s infidelity to herself, rather than causing harm to others without the law’s permission.
Durkheim believed that crime was inevitable. First, everyone socializes differently, and some people may not be able to socialize effectively. As a result, non-mainstream values may arise, which can lead to criminal behavior. In addition, differences in culture can also lead to the emergence of crime, although the offender does not consider it to be incorrect behavior. This second point is interesting because it’s not the main factor in my thinking about the causes of crime. But it’s very true. It reminds me of the rules about the drinking age. In the United States, it is legal to drink alcohol at the age of 21. But in my country, you can drink alcohol when you are 18 years old. Therefore, it is common for international students to be interrogated by the police for drinking alcohol without knowing related policy.
Social disorganization theory, which posits that crime and deviance are more likely to occur in neighborhoods with weak social bonds and limited community resources, offers a comprehensive lens through which we can understand elevated crime rates in neighborhoods I’m familiar with, such as low-income urban areas. In these communities, the absence of social cohesion and trust among residents often results in weakened community networks and reduced collective efficacy, making it more challenging to establish effective social controls. The limited access to crucial resources like quality education and job opportunities hinders the community’s ability to provide guidance and support, leaving residents feeling powerless against the tide of criminal activity, which can become normalized. The lack of positive role models and extracurricular opportunities for young people makes them more vulnerable to deviant behavior, contributing to higher rates of juvenile delinquency. Moreover, the physical environment in these neighborhoods, characterized by deteriorating infrastructure and abandoned buildings, often fosters an atmosphere of decay, which is associated with increased crime and deviance. Overall, social disorganization theory underscores the critical need to strengthen community ties and enhance social controls to mitigate these challenges and promote safer and more stable neighborhoods.
Durkheim’s strain theory refers to the shared values and customs that help hold societies together. He argued that the division of labor in society replaced religion as the primary basis that brings a society together. Durkheim also believed that crime is inevitable because everyone is socialized differently, and some are not as effective as others. He sought as if those who are not socialized properly, do not accept the shared norms and values of society which can lead them to deviance. He also believed that modern society is too complex and holds many different cultures and lifestyles which leads to subcultures and the different social norms and values along with them. The Anomie concept was discussed by Durkheim, and it refers to the loss of moral control and standards which leads to the breakdown of society. Merton adapted Durkheim’s theory and emphasized structural and cultural factors relating to the economic dimensions of a social strain. A contemporary example of a crime relating to Merton’s theory would be an individual cheating on an exam because of the pressure to meet society’s academic expectations. The social disorganization theory emphasizes the idea that the location and environment an individual is living in can influence their behavioral choices. Growing up a mile away from Duquesne showed me how society can impact an individual’s choices. Those I went to school with who were all from a specific area of Duquesne tended to be involved with drugs and other crimes, where those who were from a different area were not involved with any type of crime.
Emile Durkheim believed that shared values and customs help to hold society together. With this in mind he argues that crime is inevitable for two reasons. First he believes that not all individuals can effectively socialize. Which can lead to the nonacceptance of shared norms and values of mainstream society, thus making them deviant. And second, he believes that the formation of subcultures in large cities where people of many different cultures coexist, leads to norms and cultures that do not agree with mainstream society. Consequently, not all members of society can be equally committed to the same values and beliefs, which in turn creates “anomie”, the breakdown of social order.
Robert Merton took Durkheim’s theory and adapted it into a more contemporary society. Merton’s strain theory argues that deviance can be credited to structural factors such as society’s unequal opportunity structure and the overpowering desire of success at any cost. With an emphasis on the desire of economic success in the dimensions of social strain. According to this theory society takes different approaches when it comes to the means they use in order to accomplish their goals. Furthermore, depending on whether an individual accepts or rejects society’s goals results in how they are perceived in their respective society. A person who uses approved means to achieve approved goals is considered a conformist. While a person who challenges the means and also rejects society’s goals is considered a rebel.
Durkheim’s anomie referred to a situation in which cultural norms break down because of rapid change. Merton changes this concept and makes it refer to a situation in which a culture’s norms about goals and the culture’s norms about means to achieve those goals do not fit. Durkheim’s strain theory says that crime is inevitable because many different people with different norms and values live in an area. His theory says that this causes the formation of subcultures which may have norms and values that do not agree with the norms of mainstream society. Merton’s strain theory is different in that it emphasizes structural and cultural factors. The structure of society determines the mainstream goals and means, but different cultures that occur in a society may reject or replace these mainstream goals and means.
An example of a crime that might be explained by Merton’s strain theory is when someone sells illegal drugs to make money. They want to attain the mainstream goal of wealth, but they are rejecting the mainstream means of working hard and getting an education to accomplish the goal.
Durkheim and Merton had different views of the strain theory. Durkheims view was that crime is inevitable since everyone is socialized differently and if you’re poorly socialized then you won’t accept and understand the shared norms of society. He also states that since modern society is so intense it causes subcultures which may not align with the mainstream society’s views. He believes that there is anomie (normlessness) because of the difference of labor in society (working class vs. upper class). Merton took and adapted Durkheims definition of anomie to make it into more of a deviance aspect. He looked at the structural factors like, the hierarchy in society; as well as the cultural factors explaining how there is more emphasis on always focusing on success versus the weak emphasis on actually getting to the success. There were lots of critiques of the strain theory but one really stuck out to me. The strain theory emphasizes the social classes’ role in deviant crimes.
Merton’s Strain Theory suggests that individuals may turn to criminal behavior when they experience a disconnect between societal goals and the means available to achieve those goals.
One relevant example is cybercrime, particularly hacking for financial gain. In the digital age, society places a high value on financial success, often measured by wealth and material possessions. Many individuals aspire to achieve this success through legitimate means such as education and career advancement. However, not everyone has equal access to these opportunities.
In the case of cybercrime, individuals who lack the means to achieve financial success through conventional avenues may experience strain. They perceive the societal goal of financial success as highly desirable but find themselves without the legitimate means to attain it. This strain may lead some to turn to hacking, online fraud, or identity theft as alternative means to achieve financial security and success.
Merton’s Strain Theory helps us understand that individuals engaged in cybercrime are not necessarily driven by inherent criminal tendencies but rather by the pressure to achieve culturally prescribed goals without the proper means. It highlights how the disconnect between societal goals and available means can push individuals towards deviant behavior as they seek to bridge this gap.
Emile Durkheim and Robert Merton contributed significantly to strain theory in sociology, but they had different approaches and perspectives on the causes and consequences of deviance and crime. Durkheim’s “Anomie theory” focuses on breaking social norms and values. He argued that crime occurs when there is a state of normlessness where individuals feel disconnected from the moral and ethical guidelines that hold society together. Durkheim emphasized the role of societal changes, such as rapid industrialization. Merton expanded on Durkheim’s ideas and developed his version of strain theory. Merton’s approach is referred to as “Structural Strain Theory.” He emphasized the disconnect between cultural goals and the means available to achieve those goals. Merton identified five possible adaptations to this strain: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. They both focused on the idea that societal factors contribute to deviance. Durkheim’s theory centered on the breakdown of societal norms. Meanwhile, Merton’s theory focused on the disconnect between cultural goals and means.
Durkheim’s definition of strain theory consists of a focus on divisions. According to Derkheim, crime happens when there is a division between the laborers and the capital owners. Such division leads to resentment and deviance. The socialization of people creates divisions. What is deemed to be a “social norm” may not be acceptable or appreciated by someone and they begin to exhibit deviant behavior. They also had different views of anomalies. The term “anomie” means the breakdown of social order as a result of the loss of standards and values. Derkheim believed these breakdowns were caused by rapid change in a society. Merton believes there is a blurred line between cultural norms, what makes someone successful, and how they can use the norms in appropriate ways to achieve their goals. I can see where both theorists are coming from however I lean more towards Durkheim’s theory because I feel it is more moral.
Anomie is a state of being and feeling that results when social norms and standards break down, which causes people to feel lost and not certain of their place or how they fit into society, it also refers to a situation in which cultural norms break down because of rapid change. When looking at both Durkheim and Merton’s strain theories, Durkheim thinks that a potential cause of anomie is when things in society change fast it causes the people feel that the society is heading into panic. Where Merton’s theory tells us society can put a variety of different kinds of pressure on citizens to get to their unique types of socially accepted goals. So Merton is trying to focus on individuals and Durkheim is trying to focus on society.
Both Durkheim and Merton developed views of what causes crime that were very similar to one another. Both of them made contributions to the Strain Theory. According to the strain theory, criminal behavior may be traced back to the anger and frustration that individuals feel as a result of their inability to achieve genuine social and economic success. Both of these people have hypotheses that explain, in their own unique ways, what occurs when there is an absence of social control and when people do not have sufficient means to meet their demands. One can seek vengeance on another person who is putting them under a lot of pressure and stress, and this would be a clear picture of the strain theory. Emilie Durkheim was of the belief that the ability of a society to maintain the ideals that are accepted is what assures that society will continue to exist. The state of a society in which it has lost those moral controls and norms is referred to as “anomie.” Through the investigation of various social aspects, he created sociology as a science.
Derkheims definition of strain theory consists of a focus on divisions. According to Derkheim, crime happens when there is a division between the laborers and the capital owners. Such division leads to resentment and deviance. The socialization of people creates divisions. What is deemed to be a “social norm” may not be acceptable or appreciated by someone and they begin to exhibit deviant behavior. They also had different views of anomies. The term “anomie” means the break down of social order as a result of the loss of standards and values. Derkheim believed these breakdowns were caused by rapid change in a society. Merton believes there is a blurred line between cultures norms, what makes someone successful, and how they can use the norms in appropriate ways to achieve their goals.
One contemporary example of Merton’s strain theory that consists of the adaptation of innovation would be if a single dad had the goal to get money for groceries, but gets money through the means of mugging someone on the street. He had the right goal, but not the right means. Social disorganization is also an explanation for crime in a society. It proposes that people in a society are more likely to commit crime of they are located in a disadvantaged and dilapidated area where criminality is accepted. Personally, I have a lot of experience with this kind of environment because I’ve been living in Duquesne my whole life. Duquesne’s crime rates have increased as the city started losing businesses and tons of houses remain abandoned. This explains the crime because there are a lot of crimes that happen very often and when people are seeing it and being caught up in the environment in which they live, they are more susceptible to committing crime.
Anomie is basically the breakdown of a social order because of the loss of standards, values, and social norms. It can also present as a feeling or state like as if a person diagnosed with depression may feel as though that there is something incorrect or wrong about them. Durkheim connected “anomie” to a loss of moral control leading to the feeling of dejection. He also believed it was very normal, everyone in any society has “anomie” times for millions of reasons. Durkheim thought crime was basically unavoidable because 1. With all the cultures and societies we live in today, there is no way that everyone’s agenda lines up perfectly. With that comes rules being broken, then revenge, then going on the onward cycle of crime spinning endlessly. 2. If there aren’t any shared universal social norms we will always have someone casting a nasty stare or look at someone. Which again insights confusion, leading to sometimes anger, and maybe even revenge continuing the cycle.
Durkheim’s strain theory focused on establishing science related to sociology by studying social facts. He believed that shared values and customs helped to hold societies together. His theory of crime being inevitable has two main points. The first point is that everyone is socialized differently and some people may not be effectively socialized. His second point is that modern society is also very complex, especially in large cities, where there are many people with many different cultures and lifestyles in a concentrated area. Robert Merton actually adapted Durkheim’s theory and put a different spin on it. His particular adaptation emphasized both structural and cultural factors, where he emphasized the economic dimensions of social strain.
An example of a crime that can be explained my Merton’s theory could be any sort of fraud that can include mortgage fraud or healthcare fraud. It’s more focused on white collared crimes.The term Anomie means losing moral control and standards, which leads to feeling abnormal and despaired. There are two types of social solidarity, “Mechanical Solidarity” and “Organic Solidarity.”Social disorganization can be described as disorganized areas marked by divergent values and transitional populations produce criminality. This theory can help explain crime in familiar neighborhoods because if a person grows up in a bad area where they are surrounded by crime all the time, they will most likely be more influenced by the crimes. It will seem like it is a normal thing to do.
Durkheim’s version of strain theory focuses on the socialization of individuals or groups of individuals. He believed that not all people or groups of individuals were socialized properly, and as a result, some individuals commit crimes. Merton’s version, on the other hand, believes that most people are socialized generally in the same manner, with everyone having the same aspirations. However, due to inequalities that may not allow everyone to achieve the same goals, their illegal means to obtain the goals result in crime. An example of Merton’s version of strain theory goes as follows: Most people are socialized to believe that nice clothing and shoes are a sign of wealth and status, such as Air Jordans in inner cities. Since they are expensive and some people could not afford to buy them, they sometimes decided to rob people for the shoes themselves or money to buy the shoes. Anomie is a term that Durkheim describes as “normlessness”, which he described as a result of rapid social change in which people are outside the social norm. Merton changed the definition to the feeling of discomfort that results from a disconnect between society’s widely accepted goals and the means to obtain these goals. Another theory, social disorganization theory, is another theory that tries to explain crime. Essentially, this theory states that the breakdown of structures of social control results in criminal behavior. One example that comes to mind in local areas is the underfunding of schools in inner cities. Since many schools do not receive the funding they once did, they began to break down and produce a lower quality of education and social control. As such, the children within these schools begin to not focus on education and may begin to act out defiantly and/or criminally.
Both Durkheim and Merton had a theory about what causes crime. Durkheim thought more along the lines of economic stressors that cause people to break the law. Whereas Merton thought social factors had a significant role in causing crime like unequal opportunities in some areas or different cultural practices. If someone were to grow up in an area with a lot of crime and the criminals make a lot of money from it that person will turn to crime because it is the best way to achieve success and improve their living conditions. Anomie is a term used by sociologists meaning a person or persons going against the social norm of behavior. This can be used to explain crime which can help change the social norm. The social disorganization theory is the idea that someone’s location and social environment have an impact on their behavior. Like in more run-down neighborhoods the location and the people in the area have an effect on each other and they commit crimes to get out of the area or because it is a social norm.
Based on the article, anomie is the breakdown of social order because of the loss of standards and values. It is a state you can be in or feeling that is caused when social norms and standards break down. For example, many people with anxiety may feel like there is something wrong with them. Although, it is a completely normal thing caused by “anomie.” Durkheim refers to it as a loss of moral control and standards leading to a feeling of normalness/despair. In his theory, he believes that crime is inevitable based on two reasons; 1) everyone is socialized differently, which can lead to poor socialization where there are not shared norms (can cause deviant behavior) and 2) modern society is complex with many different cultures/lifestyle in a small area. Each culture is going to have their own set of norms that might not agree with each other. Merton adapted Durkheim’s “anomie” theory and put a contemporary spin on it. Instead of looking at the economic dimension of social strain like Durkheim, Merton looked at the structural factors, like unequal opportunities in society, and cultural factors, like feeling the need to succeed no matter what. In Merton’s theory, he looked at situations where there is a disconnect between what determines success (goals) and appropriate ways to achieve those goals (means) in a culture. Also, the social disorganization theory believed that delinquency is a normal response by people who are in abnormal situations. If a person grows up in a society where they believe it is okay to commit crimes, it will appear like it is okay to do those things. In reality, it is not acceptable, but they don’t know any better because they are surrounded by crime. Clifford Shaw and Henry D. McKay concluded that neighborhoods that had physical dilapidation, poverty, and a large cultural mix had the most amount of crime.
The main distinction between Durkheim’s and Merton’s ideas is that Durkheim’s thesis gets right to the root of why certain people are socially awkward and do not interact with others successfully, which is simply because they do not know how. Whereas the two components of structural factors and cultural factors form the basis of Merton’s theory. Merton’s theory appears to be more nuanced whereas Durkheim’s idea appears to be more direct. The manner someone was raised and the reasons why they lack socialization features, as a result, are modern examples of Merton’s theory. Some people were not taught sufficient socialization or behavior instruction in social situations as a kid which shows when they get older. Anomie describes a person or group as lacking conventional moral or social norms. When they attempt to interact with others, they struggle. Because the person or group committing the crime and generating the disturbances does not know how to properly socialize, they may go out and commit crimes as a pastime or to pass the time. Social disorganization can explain some crimes in deviance in particular neighborhoods. Or perhaps they even enjoy doing something wrong since they lack socialization and hence do not know right from wrong.
As Durkheim and Merton’s theories came into play, each sociologists had different views on the way of life. Merton normally focuses more on the strain theory. They both even had a relevance on each other. Robert Merton adapted Durkheim’s theory and gave it a spin. Emphasizing both structural and cultural factors. He also went over the dimensions of social strain. The concept Anomie was used to explain a version of deviance. Each having the two sides already specified and that is, Structural and Cultural factors. Structural could be a prime example of the hierarchy scale. Not having the equal opportunity in life. Cultural success is the overpowering mindset of achieving success at all costs. Anomie is the breakdown of social order because of the loss of standards and values, normlessness. Social disorganization can be viewed as a ghetto or in better terms a lower economic advantage then most. Several outcomes are impacted by the way people make decisions. This could explain on both theories ends. People would do anything necessary to have success which most people only think that’s relevant to just cash flow. Cause crimes and drug dealers having to participate just to make money. When options are slim to none, you must make decisions to survive. These theories will continue to prove the basics. Crime flows in poverty more and is policed more.
Strain theory is a criminological theory that explains crime through the frustration people feel with their inability to succeed and climb up the social ladder. The two main people who studied strain theory were Emile Durkheim and Robert Merton. Durkheim was the creator of strain theory, while Merton adapted his theory with a contemporary spin. Durkheim’s main philosophies when it came to strain theory is the socialization of people and how their location and culture can influence that. He argued that the labor force of the 1800s replaced religion as the main social cohesion for society, and therefore denoted one’s social class. “Anomie”, or the breakdown of social order due to rapid change, was something he observed with the transition of social power from the church to businesses. I think that these philosophies are important to understand crime as a whole today, but is certainly not the only defining factor. Robert Merton’s contemporary view on strain theory can be better suited to understand today’s crime. An example of a crime that can be explained through strain theory is the sale of marijuana. Many people who sell marijuana illegally are doing it because of a need to earn money due to their low socioeconomic status, meaning it may be the only opportunity they have to move up in society. Overall, strain theory can help us better understand crime, but is not the only causing factor.
The word anomie means the breakdown of social order as a result of the loss of standards and values, normlessness. The social disorganization theory places a significant amount of responsibility for criminal behavior upon where someone is living. This theory links the crime rate of a given neighborhood to its ecological characteristics. The theory could be used to explain why as said in the article “Slum Dwellers” violate the law because of the areas they live in where social control has been broken down. Merton adapted Dunkheim’s theory and gave it a more contemporary spend. Merton emphasized both structural and cultural flavors, he emphasized the economic dimensions of social strain. Dunkheim believed that shared values and customs hold societies together. The differences between these two theories is that Dunkheim gets straight to the point and Mertons is based on two things which are structural and cultural. Dunkheim’s theory of anomie describes the lack of social cohesion that often comes with rapid social change. Merton’s theory of anomie mainly describes how anomie leads to deviance and crime in society.
Durkheim and Merton are famous theorists that took interest in the concept of power and domination. They both studied strain theories that view crimes as a result of anger. Durkheim focused on lacking social controls in individuals. Merton’s studies were more thought out than Durkheim’s and were based on structural and cultural factors. A good example of his theory is people who sell drugs to achieve financial security. Durkheim used the term “anomie” to describe the loss of social standards. Anomie is the breakdown of social order because of the loss of standards and values, and normlessness. Social disorganization theory is the theory that a person’s physical location and social environment are primarily responsible for the behavioral choices that a person makes. This means in places with high crime rates such as Chicago, children who grow up there believe that those amounts of crime are normal. Therefore, their behavior will reflect this belief.
The difference between Durkheim and Merton’s theories are that Mertons vies on the strain theory was more contemporary. Durkheim focused more on the individual rather than a broad perspective. Mertons theory is more thought out and based on two elements of structural and cultural factors. Durkheims theory is straight to the point. A contemporary example of Mertons theory could be how someone was raised and why they lack certain socialization traits due to the way they were raised. Some people were not taught how to socialize properly or how to act in social settings. The way Durkheim used the term “anomie” referred to a situation in cultural norms break down because of rapid change. This causes people to feel so lost or not certain of their place or how they fit into a society. In addition to how this is lost, crime tends to increase. Merton believed that crime was something that was always going to be in society due to the various social and environmental factors in life.
Anomie described in the article is perceived as loss of social standards and or the normal things are changed. Many reasons can cause this but many times it happens because people act differently and believe they don’t fit in to society. Durkheim talks a lot about a lot of different things but mainly talks about individuals and their lives. Social disorganization in the article can occur from an individual or a group. Merton’s theory was very interesting to read, but one example of his theory would be the way someone is raised and how their upbringing is. Usually something like this happens when the person or a group doesn’t know the “norms” of society and act out of place. Explained in this article a lot of times people will go to extreme measurements to obtain things they don’t have especially if those things they are trying to obtain is for family. And sadly, when doing these things it leads to crime.
Emile Durkheim helped to establish sociology as a science and he theorized that the division of labor in society replaced religion as the primary basis of social cohesion. Emile Durkheim emphasized on Anomalies, normaless where people go against socially accepted patterns due to rapid change. Durkheim believed that not just having too much crime was bad, but also having not enough crime was bad for society. On the other hand Robert Merton created a theory based around the theory Durkheim gave, but he emphasized both structural and cultural factors, where he emphasized the economic dimensions of social strain in the idea of anomie. Merton believed dropping standards is a result of crime, so current example of Merton’s strain theory would be selling guns illegally to make a living off the income. Also, social disorganization theory is the theory that a person’s physical location and social environment are primarily responsible for the behavioral choices that a person makes, so in Chicago and Detroit where crime is heavy, the children growing up will think this is normal, so their behavioral will reflect this and they will have the same behavior as the criminals.
1.Various strain theories were developed by Emile Durkheim and Robert Merton. They all have various theories on what occurs when societal restraints are absent and people do not have the resources to meet their wants. According to the strain theory, people become angry and frustrated when they are unable to achieve true social and economic achievement. 2. For instance, people may resort to crime as a means of getting revenge against someone who is putting them under a lot of pressure and stress. 3. Anomie refers to the breakdown of social order as a result of the absence of norms and standards. Mr. Durkheim’s research on social issues contributed to the development of sociology as a science. He thought that shared morals and traditions kept communities together. Anomie primarily refers to a loss of moral restraint and norms that causes people to become hopeless. 4. Social Disorganization the focus of theory is on the lack of or malfunction of social control systems. It focuses on how a person’s upbringing and the environment in which they grow up determine their behavioral choices. Crime and delinquency are considered as acceptable if a person grows up in a rough neighborhood where no one looks out for the community and it seems no one cares. Crime and violence are more likely to be committed in areas that appear chaotic or neglected. It gives people the impression that no one is concerned about looking out for the community, so they won’t care if they do whatever they want.
The definition of anomie is defined ad a very situation in which norms are broken down because of a cultural change. As Durkheim defined its a little different as Merton defined it. As Merton defines it as a difference in cultural norms but success in the life and in the norm are how to achieve goals. I feel that Merton defines the definition of anomie better than Durkheim simply because he doesn’t tell us in the definition that there are standards to achieve goals. One of the examples of Mertons definition on anomie can be as a person was brought up in life and taught their own culture and they only stick to idea and they don’t have no thought in no one else’s culture or way anyone else is brought up.
Growing up in a certain area can influence crime and deviance. The social disorganization theory focuses on the absence or breakdown of social control mechanisms. After reading further into the theory I agree with it. Growing up in a small suburb with a very small population of minorities (so small I could probably count them all), I did not see much crime other than things like underage drinking at a high school party. But I was always able to see both sides of the spectrum vising my stepfather’s home town and my father’s hometown, which were definitely not the suburbs. I began to notice at a very young age, one is presented with advantages depending on where they live. In my suburb, our education and schooling seemed to be way better. We were ahead of the other schools compared to where my dad’s grew up, and we had better technology as well. But what I noticed in those other neighborhoods was how many kids were involved in delinquent crimes. Kids my age were smoking weed or even selling drugs in those other towns. It was very unfortunate to see because I know it was due to their environment.
Anomie, simply put is the absence of normalcy. It is the breakdown of social order as a result of the loss of standards and values according due to rapid change according to Durkheim. Merton changes the definition slightly by referring to a situation in which there is an apparent lack of fit between the culture’s norms about what constitutes success in life and the culture’s norms about the appropriate way to acquire that success in life. An example of anomie would be the looting and riots that have taken place in the United States since COVID. This was the first major event in my life where the culture’s standard of normalcy changed drastically, besides 9/11 which I have no recollection of. The theory makes sense. In times of uncertainty, people choose what norms to follow and which to disregard, often choosing deviant acts to either acquire means of some sort, or to state a message.
Anomie is defined as the breakdown of social order as a result of the loss of values or normalcy. This can be explained through multiple scenarios hypothetical or real. Such as the attack on the capital on January 6th, for whatever reason hundreds of average adults stormed our nations capital in an effort to over throw what they thought to be an unfair government ruling. Under normal circumstances most people would never even think to do this, but because of rising tensions from the pandemic, heated election and the over all stressful year we as a nation are still working to recover from people took their aggressions out by destroying the capital. This is just one scenario where common sense and reason go out the window, the crisis following 9/11 may have brought us together against a common enemy. Inside our nations borders we became very fearful of another attack, oppressing members of the muslim and middle eastern communities simply because of their association middle eastern religions and customs. These two examples are one of many in this country, while they are extreme there are smaller cases of anomie and the loss of reason.
The term anomie is defined as the lack of social order, morals, and standards. Another way of looking at this is as going against socially acceptable behavior patterns. This can lead to feelings of normlessness and despair. Durkheim also believed that the presence of anomie can also lead to mechanical and organic solidarity. Durkheim stated that the key to a successful society is sharing these values, morals, and means to success. Anomie can have many causes, one of which as Durkheim believed, is the division of labor. This is because of the differences in our routes to success which leads to a vast value consensus. It is important to note that anomie is more of a feeling or a mindset of being lost and not fitting in with society, rather than an infectious mindset. Morton’s definition of anomie changes from Durkheims, because he believes that this is the result of going against societal norms as a different way of achieving success and goals
Anomie can be defined as the loss of morals and standards in society leading to a lack of norms. Dr. Merton uses anomie to explain the lack of normalcy in society. In addition to how this is lost, crime tends to increase. Merton believed that crime was something that was always going to be in society due to the various social and environmental factors in life. For example, a low-income person whose job is barely enough to survive would find it necessary to resort to other methods to support his household, such as selling drugs or some other criminal activity to make ends meet. On the other hand, Durkheim, although he had more or less the same idea about anomie, differed in the fact that he thought that loss of control led to despair. He also thought that too much crime was as bad as too little crime in society. The latter is because the distribution of punishment is used as a reminder to citizens. So punishments help keep people doing the right thing while uniting society in judging or deciding how to perform certain behaviors. In this case, I think they both have their points, I believe that in the world there will always be a crime regardless of the circumstances. So I find that everyone has a valid point on that issue.
Durkheim’s form of strain theory emphasized the socialization, or lack thereof, of individuals into society and the formation of subcultures due to varying forms of socialization. Furthermore, he argued that the lack of “proper” socialization and the various subcultures caused by varying forms of socialization can lead to the rejection of societal or mainstream norms, thus leading to deviance and divergence from what mainstream society considers acceptable. He also believed that crime could serve as a tool to strengthen unity within society. On the other hand, Merton’s form of strain theory addressed the correlation between what society believes a successful life is defined as, and the appropriate means by which one can achieve a successful life, while also addressing the opportunity hierarchy within society. One of the biggest examples of Merton’s strain theory would be the sale of illegal drugs. To elaborate, those who lack the opportunity to live a wealthy life may resort to illegal ways by which they can achieve such wealth, for example, selling illicit drugs. While cultural norms may suggest that having wealth constitutes a successful life, the use, and marketing of drugs, on the other hand, deviates from societal norms. Thus, while the goal may be seen as moral by society, how the goal was achieved, that being the sale of illegal drugs, is seen as immoral by society, thus illustrating Merton’s form of strain theory. Anomie refers to the lack of societal or cultural norms within an individual. I have been fortunate enough not to have experienced crime within the neighborhoods I’ve lived in, however it is not hard to imagine that if the culture within those neighborhoods found it acceptable to commit a crime, crime would’ve been more apparent, this illustrating disorganization theory. I will argue that an aspect of disorganization theory still applies to my life, as my physical location and the culture within the areas I’ve lived in have had an influence on my choice not to offend.
Anomie is used by Dr. Merton to explain the lack of normalness in society. Anomie is a term used in criminology and is the loss of morals and or standards that leads to normlessness. Dr. Merton’s theory states that as society loses morals and standards, within the community, then the result will be a rise in crime. Durkheim viewed this almost the same. His view of anomie is the primary loss of moral control and standards, which leads to a feeling of normlessness and despair, as well as possessing two types of solidarity. The two types of solidarity are mechanical and organic solidarity. Durkheim believed that too much crime is bad and too little crime is bad as well. He believes that distributing punishments should be a reminder to citizens to not commit crimes, therefore if no one is committing crimes then there is no reassurement. However, Dr. Merton believed that there will always be crime due to the social and environmental factors of their life. A good example is a hard-working man that can’t make ends meet no matter how many hours he works. This same good guy might turn to selling drugs to make extra cash and then eventually starts making more than he does at his job and starts to sell drugs full time.
Anomie is the loss of morals and standards, leading to normlessness. Merton’s theory states that when a society has a major loss of morals and standards within the community, it will result in more crime. Durkheim views anomie as something as a result of division in society rather than the cause of crime. Durkheim believed that too much crime in an area is bad but he feels as though too little crime is not good as well. Distributing punishments for crime are used as a way to reassure citizens of communities that they should not commit crimes. If no one is committing crimes, there is no way to reassure punishment. Merton believed that people end up living a life of crime due to the social and environmental factors of their life. For example, if someone has recently been laid off from their job and cannot afford to pay their bills, this may lead them to believe that they have hit rock bottom. In turn, they may participate in crimes that will give them access to quicker cash.
Durkheim and Merton’s definition of anomie are similar but Merton’s definition is altered slightly, Merton’s definition is more based or focused on cultural norms and success in life and also how to achieve those goals. Durkheim’s definition was more like cultural norms brake down because of a rapid change. Where you live will affect the amount of social deviance is the social disorganization theory. In most of the neighborhood I have lived in I feel like the theory is true because of how when kids moved from different neighborhoods to our neighborhood they would say a lot of things were different from their old neighborhood but would eventually over time get used to the things we would do outside like play basketball and football and tag from when they used to act out in their old neighborhood and vandalize thing.
Durkheim and Merton’s strain theories are the two best known. Durkheim theorizes what happens when social control is lacking while Merton’s strain theory theorizes what happens when people have inadequate means to satisfy their needs. What is “Anomie”? Anomie is a term used to describe when one has lost the ability to control their morals and standards, which causes one to feel despair. An example of a crime explained by Merton’s Strain theory would be selling drugs to pay for college. The reason it is explained by Merton’s Strain theory is that it states that it is a crime that is committed due to the overpowering emphasis on success. Nowadays college seems like it’s almost mandatory to be able to get a well-paying job. If you are unable to go to college but you can’t afford it due to the environment you were born in and drugs are very popular in your city and it is crime-ridden you might feel like college is essential to get out. The thought process of needing to sell drugs due to it being an easy and high-income form of work to get yourself through college is an example of Merton’s Strain Theory.
Anomie is a term in criminology used by Dr. Merton to explain social norms, well a lack there of. Dr. Merton is simply stating that when society fails these social norms, reaction by people will result, likely bad. For example, a society has no job availability and people cannot find work or a job to maintain a living wage so they result to violence or other criminal acts therefore. So, according to Dr. Merton deviance and crime are direct results of Anomie, a social disorder. Periods of anomie are unstable, chaotic, and are often full with conflict because the social force of the norms and values that otherwise provide stability is weakened or missing. Anomie is the act of people committing crimes simply because they have no reason of refraining. This ideal is criticized all the time for reasons like anomie cannot explain violent crimes and anomie cannot explain crime patterns like why this person or why that person. The main appeal toward the vision of anomie is that its saying poor people commit crimes more then non-poor people in a society, which angers some.
What does the term “Anomie” mean?
An anomie is examination, or lack thereof, moral and societal structure. When a people, group, or society is in a state of anomie, they have lost their purpose and as a result, they lose their beliefs and structure. This lack of structure can more often than not lead to a spike in crime. When people lose sight of who they are as a society, they begin to act in a way that society would not deem acceptable, hence the increased deviance, aka crime.
Modern society can be looked at as an anomie to a certain extent. When America was first colonized, it was based heavily on religion. Our justice system was influenced by the supernatural. Whether you agree with heavy religious influence or not, it does not take a scholar to realize that most of our media now is not religious. Because we have become more relaxed with our morals, we have more forms of criminal behavior than ever before.
Anomie refers to the idea that social order is harmed as values or norms are lost. It’s something that makes being confused or lost as the rest of society feels like it’s chaos around them. Durkheim thinks that a potential cause of anomie is when things in a society change so fast, that people feel that the society is heading into chaos, even if that’s not necessarily the case. While this sounds like a bad thing and even feels like a bad thing at first, people will often feel like anomie when there is any sort of change within society. Given enough time however, society can adapt to it and things that caused anomie could just become a part of the social norm. This is most often seen in certain civil rights movements, such as the women’s suffrage, where there’s initially a lot of pushback from society but if it’s successful, overtime most people see it as the norm and an undeniable good thing.
Explain the differences between Durkheim and Merton’s strain theories. Well, Durkheim and Merton have two different types of strain theories. Durkheim believes that “Anomie” a concept proposed that says types of chaos take place when other kinds of societies change very quickly. I think that is an exciting take on strain theory because I believe it can be very accurate. This can lead people to feel uncertain about how they fit in. Merton’s theory tells us that society can put a variety of different kinds of pressure on citizens to achieve their unique types of socially accepted goals. This is also a great take, and I believe this can also be true. Merton has also suggested five different ways that people can respond to this, and they are conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. Both Durkheim and Merton have a different take on their version of strain theory, and they both have interesting points.
Give a contemporary example of a crime that might be explained by Merton’s strain theory.
A contemporary example that might describe why a person commits a crime could be due to stressors. A modern stressor that might influence crime could be living in poverty, physical abuse, or mental abuse. Many people have stressors in their lives that can lead to a life of crime, however that is not true for all people. Although individuals can be influenced by stressors, many people deal with traumatic experiences and become strong. Many people have different personality traits that interact and influence their own activities.
Strain theories view crime as resulting from the anger and frustration that people experience over their inability to achieve legitimate social and economic success. These theories hold that most people experience their inability to achieve their legitimate social and economic success. The theories also state that most people share common values and beliefs but the ability to achieve them is differentiated throughout the social structure. Strain theories call attention to stressors that may result in a crime. Two different people came up with two different theories on strain. One is Robert Merton and the other is Durkheim. In Durkheim’s strain theory he argues that crime in inevitable because everyone is socialized differently, and some people may not be effectively socialized. Poor socialization means that they do not accept the shared norms and values of society making them deviant. The second thing he argues is that modern society is also very complex especially in large cities where there are many different cultures and lifestyles in that one area. This causes the formation of subcultures to form and these subcultures may have norms and values that do not agree with the norms of mainstream society. Durkheim used the word anomie referring to a situation in which cultural norms break down because of rapid change. Merton’s theory also argued two different key parts, one being structural factors like society’s unequal opportunity structure, and cultural factors like the over powering emphasis on success at all costs and the weaker emphasis on using legitimate means to achieve success. In Merton’s theory anomie refers to a situation in which there is apparent lack of fit between the cultures norms about what constitutes success in life and the cultures norms about the appropriate ways to achieve those goals.
In Durkheim’s strain theory rapid change causes cultural norms to break down. However, in Merton’s theory lack of fit in the cultural norms will not cause success in life but if there is a fit there will be success. Also, in Merton’s theory the norm’s in cultures show how you can succeed and how to achieve the goals that you want to achieve. An example of Merton’s theory could be if you join a gang and help them rob a store because the social norm said that is how you can succeed in life by joining a gang and committing a robbery with them. An anomie is the breakdown of order in social life because there is no norm in life. Social life also breaks down because you lose standards and values. It could explain crime and deviance in an area such as Homewood because crime can be frequent there and if someone moves there and they maybe are living a successful life they might lead down a path of crime because many others in that area do.
The strain theory tells us that social structures within a society may lead people to commit crimes. Emile Durkheim along with Robert K. Merton has two different strain theories. Merton’s theory says that society can put different kinds of pressure on citizens to achieve their socially accepted goals. Although, Durkheim believes that crime is created by society to maintain its acceptable order. Speaking of Durkheim a concept called “Anomie” was proposed by her that says types of chaos take place when different types of societies change quickly. This can cause people to feel not certain about how they can fit in. Robert K.Merton tells us that when people are faced with problems to reach their goals strain occurs. Merton has also suggested five different ways that people respond to its conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. To conclude Durkheim and Merton both have different takes on strain theory and both have valid points.
The first crime to pop in my head when thinking of a contemporary one that could be explained by Merton’s strain theory was drug dealing. Usually in the lower class neighborhoods, at least where I was born and raised, people tend to see their options for success as limited so they resort to selling drugs being that it is a quick but risky path to success. The neighborhood Kensington in Philadelphia is a perfect example of Merton’s strain theory in affect as well as displaying the social disorganization theory. This neighborhood is the largest open-air drug market on the east coast and is littered with abandoned buildings. It could also be used as the poster for the term “Anomie” since it is just a land of lost souls and moral less people. Day and night, you will see dealers on the corners due to the belief that drug dealing is the only viable opportunity for providing for their family and becoming someone who is respected, powerful and rich. This mentality can go against many of the other residents in the neighborhood who view a hard day of honest work as being the best way to becoming a provider and successful. This inability to see eye to eye with each other causes crime and chaos to occur constantly in the area.
Socialization theory links a community’s crime rate to its social and economical success. It does make sense that if one is struggling to make ends meet, they would resort to crime. Many crimes are committed out of necessity. This is closely linked to strain theories because these communities are under a lot of stress emotionally and physically. Areas that don’t have a lot of social control usually operate by different rules. Therefore, certain crimes are more likely to occur because they are socialized.This is normal in the city I come from. The streets operate differently than they would in a wealthier area. For example, it is considered normal to sell drugs, because that is often a necessity. These are just different values upheld by the community.
Merton’s Strain Theory states that in society wants individuals to achieve what are socially accepted goals in life which in turn puts stress and pressure onto individuals. Things like going to college or getting a high paying job can stress anyone out and by looking at the minorities as well they may not be able to achieve these goals due to their financial standings in society where others can easily achieve this. these stressors could lead to a variety of different crimes such as robbery, prostitution, drug dealing, etc. making it ideal for individuals under this stress to have an easy way out from under that stress and pressure. A contemporary example of a crime that might be explained by Merton’s strain theory can be a wide range of crimes due to stress and strain. One example would be a college student who has no financial structure in their life while attending college thus leading to high amounts of stress and pressure either from family members or self inflicted pressure and stress because they want to be able to show that they can support themselves. If that’s the case then the college student could resort to selling drugs or even prostitution in order to be financially stable. On the other hand though the college student may result to robbery or even murder if the pressure is to great to handle thus leading to revenge on someone who has put them under this stress. In some cases if an individual is under stress to achieve some sort of goal they might end up coming up with a different way to achieve this goal rather than how society wants them to achieve it making it an innovative way created by the individual. In total Merton stated that there are five ways that an individual would react to the stress and pressure from society and those five ways are, Rebellion, Innovation, Conformity, Ritualism, and Retreatism. Each way of a reaction to stressors is based on the individual and how they psychologically can handle the stressor and each person will react different than the next.
Anomie is a concept originally proposed by Emile Durkheim, which refers to normlessness or the chaos that takes place when a society changes very rapidly. It is the primary loss of moral standards and control. If an individual or group of people go against the socially accepted behavioral patterns, there can be an anomic situation. It causes people to feel lost and not certain of how they fit into society. In criminology, strain theory states that social structures within society may pressure citizens to commit crime. There are differences between Emile Durkheim and Robert K. Merton’s strain theories. Durkheim believed that crime is created by society to improve society and maintain its order. He stated crime is important, since it defines moral boundaries of societies. A society without crime, will lead to an anomie. Merton believes society puts pressure on individuals to achieve socially accepted goals, even if they lack the means. Individuals with limited access to wealth and success, adapt to strain differently, a way to achieve their goals is by illegal methods instead of using legal means. Merton stated when individuals are faced with a gap between their goals and their current status, strain occurs. When individuals are faced with strain, Merton outlined five different ways that they respond; conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion.
“Anomie” is a concept that was originally proposed by Emile Durkheim to explain the chaos that takes place when a society changes very rapidly, like during the American and French Revolutions, as well as the Industrial Revolution. Durkheim theorized that crime and other forms of social unrest were more likely to happen during the transition from a mechanical (primitive, agricultural-based) society to an organic (urban, industrial-based) society because those rapid changes usually result in huge cultural differences and new expectations of the people who reside in them. Merton took Durkheim’s concept of anomie and combined it with the ideas of the American Dream to form his Strain Theory in which he explains deviance in American culture. His idea was that this “strain” happens in a society when the goals of the people, or what constitutes success, do not align with the societal standards of the appropriate ways to achieve those goals, meaning that the goals are nearly unachievable without deviating from cultural norms.
Social disorganization is the disruption or never developing of an individual or group of people that lack relations and social characters. For example, if you have a neighbor that has lived next too you for years but never really seen or heard from them chances are they are lacking some type of social disorganization. It could be the fact they are lonely or do not like others, or like the fact that you have kids. This could be related to crime in certain neighborhoods with developing specific relationships. For example, if there is an area with children without fathers and single moms working a lot the kids have no guidance and will do what is good for them as a group. That could lead to crime and problems because no one Is telling them if it is good or bad ideas. In my hometown McKeesport I see this a lot with the kids involved the inner city and lowered income families. Normally the higher income children just compete with each other instead of creating that bond as a whole.
Merton took Durkheim’s idea a tried to put a different view on it or what you would say put a spin on it. Durkheim described anomie as a situation in which the cultural norms break down because of the change in the culture. Merton seems to go into more depth about this topic and says that it is an apparent lack of fit between the goals someone has and how the get to them. I think that Merton does a better job at explaining what a anomie actually is because he makes it more understandable and gives it a more deeper meaning. Merton focuses more on the individuality of it instead of a full group or culture like Durkheim did. I feel like it matters more about the individual and their state of mind, then you should worry about the society as a whole. I think both described it well but Merton did it better.
Durkheim’s helped to establish society as a science by studying social facts. Durkheim believed that values and customs helped to hold societies together. His theory of Anomie refers to a loss of moral control and standards, which leads to a feeling of normlessness and despair; as well as two different types of social solidary. Durkheim thought that crime is inevitable because not every member of society can be equally committed to the shared values and beliefs. Merton adapted Durkheim’s theory and made it more contemporary. He focused more on structural and cultural factors and emphasized the economic dimension of social strain. The structural factors are society’s unequal opportunity structure. The cultural factors are the over-powering emphasis on success at all costs, and the weaker emphasis on using legitimate means to achieve success. A contemporary example of a crime that might be explained by Merton’s strain theory is a crime that is based on wealth. In this example, there is an unequal opportunity which means that people try to get success by any means necessary. Anomie means the breakdown of social order as a result of the loss of standards and values, normlessness. Social disorganization theory might be able to explain crime and deviance in neighborhoods that I know of. This is because in a neighboring city, there is a very high crime rate and this might make people think that it is okay for them to commit these crimes. These people grew up in a city that crime was viewed as okay so that can impact their views on crimes. This city can be classified as disorganized and that is why it can be explained by social disorganization theory.
Dirkeim believed that shared values and customs helped to hold societies together, and theorized the division of labor in society. He believed in replacing religion as primary basis of social cohesion as well. He believed crime was inevitable for two reasons, starting with the fact that everyone is socialized differently. As well as modern society being very complex, due to so many different cultures and lifestyles especially in large cities. Overall, he believed that crime was committed by society to help improve it. Merton believed that individuals committing crime is caused by society and its flawed structure. Anomie is when someone breaks past the social norm and breaks accepted behavioral patterns. Social disorganization theory may explain crimes by linking them directly to neighborhoods and characteristics due to crime going hand in hand with residential location.
The social structure theories of crime help identify the causes of crime . That’s important to do so they can find ways to solve problems. The social disorganized theory basically links the crime rate of neighborhoods , That is used to explain the slum dwellers violate the law . Those are the areas were social control has broken down . Also, the strain theory view crime as resulting from the anger and frustration that people experience . This theory is what most people share values and beliefs. There’s different variations of this theory that many people don’t know about . The culture deviance theory deals with the lower class areas . Durkheim theory of crimes basically argues that crime is inevitable . How everyone is socialized differently and how not everyone isn’t effectively socialized .
The two theories social structure theory and social disorganization theory both link the criminal behavior coming from a person to what their environment is like. People that live in low income neighborhoods or the slums are mostly looked at for criminal behavior. Even though society has this explanation as to why slum dwellers violate the law why are they prosecuted or punished harder than people that live in upscale neighborhoods. The strain theory explains that people in low income neighborhoods are usually upset that with the fact that they were not able to succeed in social and economic achievement. They feel like they have to make their own survival methods in order to keep up with the rest of society. A lot of people in low income neighborhoods sell drugs in hopes to make a better life for themselves. Other people get on drugs to numb the pain for feeling the pressure of failing in life. The Anomie theory helps explain why keeping different social classes is hard for people who weren’t born into wealth. People in poor neighborhoods have to work twice as hard to get in a comfortable stage of the classes for example middle class people still struggle with poor problems because they are just making ends meet. This is why a lot of kids in the middle class struggle with trying to go to college because their parents make enough to help them live through life but not enough to put their kids through college without financial support.
Durkheim believed that crime was created by society in itself to help improve it as a whole and maintain order. Merton, however, believed that individuals committing crimes is caused by societies flawed structure. An example of crime that correlates with the strain theory is the selling of drugs, and how not being able to earn a liveable income the right way can lead to this way of making money. Factors that play into this may be the location someone is raised in or the proper educated needed not being attained. Anomie is when someone breaks away from the social norm and goes completely against accepted behavioral patterns, even if seen as a positive impact on society. Social disorganization theory might explain some crime and deviance in neighborhoods by almost making excuses for why these crimes are committed, trying to make them valid. This is linked directly to neighborhoods and ecological characteristics, as it focuses mainly on correlating crime and residential location.
Anomie refers primarily to a loss of moral control and standards, which leads to a feeling of normlessness and despair. One example of crime relating to Merton’s strain theory would be the sale of narcotics. Whether finding a job is hard in their area, or they have a preexisting condition or another thing that hinders their ability to find employment, they may resort to crime as a source of money. Those in neighborhoods with low income who are unemployed may see crime as the only option. Where the benefits of the crime being successful far outweigh the negatives of getting caught. Stereotypes should not be formed, however. Just because someone is struggling for money and employment, does not mean that they will resort to crime. Also, people commit crimes to fit into certain social groups. Such as like initiations or planned theft.
This article was interesting to me because of the stance taken by some of the researchers discussed. I think to an extent, people who start off with life at a disadvantage have a similar opportunity for success, but feel as if their backs are against the wall and lose hope easier. By being born in a rich home to a rich family, someone becomes used to the luxuries of their daily life and want nothing less than that for themselves in their future. The same goes for children of poor families and households, in my opinion. To be born in a poor family, someone will not be used to the same kind of life that a rich kid would be, so they may settle for less more often than a rich kid. If that poor kid has the determination, I believe that they have some sort of control of where they end up. If the rich kid has no hope or is lazy, they could end up as one of the more financially unstable people of society. Anomie is defined as a situation in which cultural norms break down due to cultural change. Durkheim describes this very well and it is later explained that individuals who commit suicide are not properly integrated into their respective societies as often as those who do not commit suicide. This is probably much more common in low income areas since there aren’t as many social interactions or things to do for people to fill their time in a positive and social manner. In general, this article makes sense and I think that it should be read by more people because I never really put enough thought into these kinds of issues and if you could help one person out of an emotional slump, it is worth it. Anomie has been a principle that has been around for a very long time, but has proven that it is still useful to study in modern day.
Durkheim theorizes that shared values and traditions have also helped to unite communities. He also claimed the division of labor in society was the new religion to see how you’d interpret a person. Merton’s definition of strain theory was taken by Durkheims and made it more modern. Structural and cultural factors are combined in his theory. His theory differs between objectives and means and whether
The differences between Durkheim is that he believed that social awkwardness has a straight to the point factor, that being that some people do not blend well with one another. Merton’s strain theories on the other hand focused more on structural and cultural factors which was more abstract that Durkheims. An example of Merton’s strain theory is that certain aspects in individuals lives and cultural aspects could determine their behavior and thus the reason on why they act in a certain manor. The term “Anomie” is used when people or a group of people go against what is considered the social norms. Social disorganization theory might explain some crime and deviance in neighborhoods by portraying a light on the acts and the reasons behind them. Individuals could commit crimes because they fall out of a social norm and feel as if this is what brings them into a group. Others could feel this way as if it’s fun or a pastime for them.
I believe that the social structure theories of crime are very important to the process surrounding our criminal justice system within communities. In order to reduce and prevent crime, law enforcement agencies must adapt and become resourceful to the communities they patrol. These three sociological theories of crime all stem from socioeconomic structure. The social disorganization theory, the strain theory, and the cultural deviance theory are all similar because they all include areas of lower economic wealth being a more frequent spot for crimes being committed. I believe that these theories are very true and still accurate to this day. I also believe that one of the main reasons areas become so bad is because of the people that live there. Adults who have a history of committing crime expose that type of behavior towards their children and people within their community and make them think that it is the norm. This relates to the cultural deviance theory because lower-class values approve of poor behavior and proving that you are capable of being tough and an alpha who is not afraid to act deviant.
Durkheim’s theory states that all crime in inevitable for two main reasons. One is that some people have poor socialization meaning that they don’t share the same norms as mainstream society does. The second is that there are many subcultures that are formed in large cities and they create norms that don’t agree with modern society. These two main reasons are considered deviant. Merton’s theory is based off of cultural and structural factors opposed to society and subcultures like Durkheim’s theory. Cultural factor is the overpowering emphasis of success at all costs. Structural factor is society’s unequal hierarchy. A contemporary example of Merton’s theory would be someone that fully believes that if you work hard 100% of the time you will be successful and make lots of money. This would be an example of cultural structure. Once that person realizes that they will not be successful with just hard work they start to not care about anything and ends up committing crimes like stealing and other things. Anomie is a loss of moral control and standards. If you know your residents has bad ecological characteristics then you are more likely to commit a crime there because you know the area better than most.
Anomie involves social instability resulting from a breakdown of standards and values also : personal unrest, alienation, and anxiety that comes from a lack of purpose or ideals. For example, society norms have a huge impact on social instability which involves anxiety. I feel that anomie is valid because of the results that were gathered from investigating suicides. As humans we tend to feel left out or fall out of connection with society due to the mental.
The difference between Durkheim and Merton’s theories are that Mertons vies on the strain theory was more contemporary. Durkheim focused more on the individual rather than a broad perspective. Mertons theory is more thought out and based on two elements of structural and cultural factors. Durkheims theory is straight to the point.
A contemporary example of Mertons theory could be how someone was raised and why they lack certain socialization traits due to the way they were raised. Some people were not taught how to socialize properly or how to act in social settings.
In definition, anomie means, normlessness if an individual or a group of people go against the socially accepted behavioral patterns, there can be an anomic situation. It is a state of being and or feeling that results when social norms and standards break down, which causes people to feel lost and not certain of their place or how they fit into society.
Social disorganization can explain crime and deviance within neighborhoods. There are towns that have not so good reputations for crime and violence around me, and their reputation could have something to do with what goes on there. Since of the reputation, not so desirable move into these towns and already have an idea of what goes on in the town and continue to commit the crimes. When a town has a bad reputation it will only become poverty and crime and deviance will occur.
Durkheim theorizes that shared values and customs also helped hold societies together. He also believed that the division of labor was the new religion in society to see how you would read a person. Merton took Durkheims idea on the strain theory and made it more contemporary. His theory combines both structural and cultural factors. His theory has a difference between goals and means and whether or not they are accepted at different adaptations Merton’s strain theory, on the other hand, uses a broader perspective, specifically by emphasizing both structural and cultural factors. A contemporary example of Merton’s strain theory is someone robbing a bank because of cultural factors preventing them from achieving monetary success in a legal way. “Anomie” is the loss of moral control and standards which leads to normlessness and despair. An anomic situation can occur if an individual or a group of people go against socially accepted behavior.
Anomie means the breakdown of social order because of the loss of standards and values. It also refers to a loss of moral control and standards which leads to a feeling of normlessness and despair. The difference between Durkheim’s and Merton’s strain theories is that Durkheim believes that crime is created by society to improve it and maintain order while Merton believes that society causes individuals to resort to criminal behavior because of its flawed structure. An example of contemporary crime that might be explained by Merton’s strain theory is drug abuse. One of the key assumptions of social disorganization theory is that a person’s physical location and social environment are primarily responsible for the behavioral choices that a person makes. This ties in with crime and deviance in certain neighborhoods because it all depends on the surroundings which you live in. So, because of where a person physically lives and the criminal environment they may grow up in, it might make a person behave more criminally based on where they live.
Give a contemporary example of a crime that might be explained by Merton’s strain theory.
The strain theory is that crime happens because people are infuriated by the pressure of not being able to have legitimate social and economical success. The best crime I think that would fit Merton’s strain theory is selling drugs. People who resort to selling drugs may have an addiction, need money and/or can’t find a job. Once you are processed into the criminal justice system you have a mark on you for the rest of your life. You have to check that box every time you apply for a job and it automatically disqualifies in an employers eyes. What else does someone have to resort to that has a decent amount of money to earn? So in order for them to attain that legitimate social and economic status they will sell drugs to earn money. This way they can survive and also spend their money on things they want.
The difference between Durkheim and Merton’s theory is that Merton’s theory adapted Durkheim’s concept of anomie to help him explain deviance further and focuses on goals and the correct way to achieve those goals. Durkheim’s meaning of anomie was meant to refer to a situation of cultural norms breaking down because of rapid change. It seems as if this article my even suggest that crime is needed in society for things to seem normal in our society. In one-way Anomie is discussed as loss of moral controls, standards, and despair by Durkheim. The social disorganization theory may explain crime and deviance in some neighborhoods because there are many neighborhoods that have high crime rates that potentially determine the next generations exposure to crime that may lead them to do criminal acts. Living in an area with a high crime rate statistic it is said to increase the chances of others to become a part of the statistic
There are two main different strain theories and the first one is Durkheim’s theory. Durkheim’s theory happens when social controls are lacking. Merton’s theory is when people have inadequate means to satisfy their needs. Durkheim’s theory is more simple than the other theory because the theory is straight to the point. Stress happens when there are not social controls. Merton’s theory on the other hand is more complex because Merton looks at two elements that included structural factors and cultural factors. A contemporary example of a crime that might be explained by Merton’s strain theory is that there can be crime based on wealth and that there is unequal opportunity so people try to get success at any means necessary. Anomie means that there is someone that doesn’t follow socially accepted behavior. Basically speaking, Anomie is not following the norms of society. Social disorganization theory can explain the city that surrounds where I live. This is because there is a high crime rate in a neighboring city so that can lead to people thinking that it is okay to commit crimes. Where these people grew up could impact their views on crime. This city is disorganized and as a result there is a lot of crime that is all explained by social disorganization theory. This theory is interesting to look at because it gives a name to a problem that we as a society see in a lot of cities. I see one flaw in this theory because not everyone who grows up in a neighborhood with a lot of crime are going to view crime as being acceptable.
French anthropologist Emile Durkheim was especially interested in the concept on anomie. Anomie can be sometimes difficult to define because it is a feeling. The feeling of being lost we can have when there’s a lack of moral control or standards. This typically happens whenever cultural norms break down because of a dramatical change very very rapidly within a individual group. On a similar but different hand, Merton’s theory on anomie is a bit more complex as it focuses more on individuals and their lives rather than groups.
Durkheim theorizes that shared values and customs also helped hold societies together. He also believed that the division of labor was the new religion in society to see how you would read a person. Merton took Durkheims idea on the strain theory and made it more contemporary. His theory combines both structural and cultural factors. His theory has a difference between goals and means and whether or not they are accepted at different adaptations. A contemporary example of a crime that would be explained by using Merton’s theory would be something like drug abuse. The cultural deviance theory was introduced and it means that a unique value system was developed in a lower class areas. Lower class values approve behaviors such as being tough, not showing fear, and likes to have authority. Anomie is the breakdown of social order as a result of the loss of standards and values,normlessness. The social disorganization theory explains why crime and deviance is higher in some neighborhoods because if it looks like they are not watching or do not care then criminals see that no one is going to be there to watch them so they will commit the crimes that they want too. Just as if a child grows up and is seeing crimes being committed then they think that it is acceptable and they will do the same as what they saw.
Durkheim’s strain theory is focused on the individual and how each person is socialized differently. This effects the extent to which an individual accepts the shared norms and values of mainstream society. Merton’s strain theory, on the other hand, uses a broader perspective, specifically by emphasizing both structural and cultural factors. A contemporary example of Merton’s strain theory is someone robbing a bank because of cultural factors preventing them from achieving monetary success in a legal way. “Anomie” is the loss of moral control and standards which leads to normlessness and despair. An anomic situation can occur if an individual or a group of people go against socially accepted behavior.
Merton’s theory of strain stems from individuals having a lack of means to satisfy their needs, while Durkheim’s focuses of the lack of social controls overall. Anomie is an important part of Durkheim’s theory, meaning that there is a loss of moral control and standards, leading to feelings of normlessness and despair, as well as solidarity. It is a state of being and/or feeling that results when social norms and standards break down, causing people to feel lost and uncertain of their place and how they fit into society. He believed division of labor was replacing religion as the primary basis of social cohesion, and that shared values and customs held societies together. His ideas of division of labor and religion being flipped led to the overall theory of anomie, with everyone being socialized differently and doing their own thing in order to get ahead within society. Durkheim also argued that while too much crime is bad for society, so is too little, and that some crime may be a key functionality in society as it strengthens social cohesion. Merton had slightly different concept, and gave Durkheim’s theory a more contemporary feel. Economic strain was the focus of his theory, and it combines both structural and cultural factors. This viewpoint neglects the individual and interpersonal aspects of crime, however, and can be better explained by a symbolic interactionist approach.
A major difference between Durkheim and Merton’s theories is that Durkheim believed that some people didn’t mix in well and talk to other people because they lacked simple socialization skills. On the other hand, Merton’ theory looked at cultural and structural factors. Anomie means that and individual or group go against what’s normally normal in a society. Someone or a group could have their own set of rules they follow while no one else does could be considered Anomie. Durkheim thought that Anomie could have meant that things change in a normal culture because of different changes that were happening. Social disorganization theory states that if you grow up watching crime happen in your life the more likely you will commit the crime/do the crime because you think that its no big deal and have seen it done before. In many cases the person may believe he/she didn’t even do anything wrong because they’re just so use to seeing it.
The major differences between Merton’s and Durkheim’s theories are that Durkheim’s theory is straight forward on why some people are socially awkward, because they do not know how. Where Merton’s theory is based on two elements of cultural factors and structural factors. Merton’s theory is more thought out, while Durkheim’s theory seems to be straight forward. An example of Merton’s theory, would be the way their culture raised them. Also, the way they were raised and their beliefs is why they do not know how to socialize properly. Anomie means that there is a lack of usual social or ethical standards in an individual or group. They do not succeed when they try to be social. Social disorganization can explain some deviant crime in certain neighborhood. The individuals committing the crime and causing the disturbances are not aware of the social norms. Maybe lack of social skills makes these individuals unable to see their own wrongdoing.
The difference between Durkheim and Merton,s theories is that Durkheim believed that certain people just did not mix in well and talk to other people because they was not sure how to socialize. Merton’ theory was based on structural and cultural factors. Anomie means that something or someone lacks the standards of society and is not considered to be normal. So a person that maybe does not speak to anyone at all maybe considered Anomie. Durkheim believes that anomie reffered to a situation in which cultural norms break down because of rapid change. Social disorganization theory can explain crime because if a person is used to living in an area where violence is accepted any crime is accepted they will believe it is ok for them to commit the crime as well. The person may believe that it is something they will not get punished for.
Anomie is the lack of the usual social or ethical standards in an individual or group. Classical strain theory predicts that deviance is more likely to occur if one’s culturally determined aspirations for monetary success and the opportunity to achieve that success are not congruent. Merton defines three different deviant adaptations (innovation, retreatism, and rebellion) for situations where cultural goals are either not accepted or not achievable via legitimate means. Merton focuses on individuals and Durkheim’s more on society. This theory does makes sense, the fact that most crime is in poverty stricken areas. Because people have little to nothing and they will take extreme measures to obtain what it is they want or even in some cases provide for there family, which unfortunately it often leads to crime.
Anomie means that a situation where the populations normal stature is change due to the culture change in the world. Durkheim used this word in the definition exactly, but Merton used it similar but changed the wording and how it is used. Merton compares how the culture norms can determine success in life and how to set yourself apart from others to get the dreams you think about. Merton’s definition really focuses on the person itself rather then the world, like Durkheim thinks with anomie. When you think of anomie, I think of shacks and a dirty beat down neighborhood. This leads people to the thought of crime getting them through everything and that is how some are taught what to do. This leads to people and communities steering away from the world, cause anomie.
Durkheim’s anomie is perceived as a loss of social standards or the norms are changed. This can happen because of the way people act, some could believe they do not fit in or belong so they act out. Durkheim’s theory is simple, while Merton believes something more complex. Merton looks at the differences between success and cultural norms. Merton focuses more on an individual and their lives. Social disorganization can come from an individual or a group. An example of Merton’s theory would be the way someone is raised. This can happen when a person or group does not know the “norms” of socialization.
1) The difference between Durkheim and Merton’s theories are that Durkheims theory is straight to the point as to why some people are socially awkward and do not socialzie well, simply because they do not know how. Where Merton’s theory is based apon two elemets of structural factors and cultural factors. Merton’s theory seems to be more complex where Durkheims theory seems to be straight to the point.
2) An example of Merton’s theory could be that maybe the way that their culuture brought them up and they way they were raised and what to believe in is why they do not know how to socialize properly.
3) Anomie means that there is a lack of usual social or ethical standards in an invidual or group. They do not do well when they try to socialize.
4) Social disorganization can explain some crime in deviance in certain neighborhoods maybe because the individual or group commiting the crime and causing the distrubances do not know how to properly socialize so that individual goes out and commits crimes as maybe a hobby or to pass away time. Or maybe even to find pleasure in doing something wrong because they simply do not know right from wrong due to lack of socilization
Emile Durkeim’s strain theory was the belief that humans and societies need some sort of common goal and set of being in order to thrive. He was in support of the moral values assigned with religions, minus the religious aspect of it. Durkheim believed that the division of labor in society would be an adequate substitute for religion in society. He described Anomie as “a loss of moral controls, standards and despair” which I believe would be the initial crisis that most society would have to overcome if religion was substituted with the division of labor. Social norms would definitely need to be taken apart and reworked in wake of that metaphorical change. I understand where he’s coming from. Merton’s strain theory was similar but differed in a few fundamental ways. Merton developed branches of social order; conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. The different categories are a result of an individual’s decision to accept, reject, or replace social goals and means. A social goal is for example being wealthy and having a family, and the means of this is to go to school to get a job to make money. A conformist would follow this path without question, whereas a innovator would have the same goal of wealth and a family but their means would be to steal money from others in order to obtain their goal. A rebellious individual would see past the social agenda and replace both the mode and the means with something more suited to their personal goals.
Durkheim’s defined anomie as primarily a loss of moral control and standards, which can then lead to a feeling of normlessness and despair, as well as two different types of social solidarity. He claimed that it is a situation in which cultural norms break down because of a dramatic change. Merton used Durkheim’s concept of anomie to explain deviance. Merton basically just updated Durkheim’s theory to today’s standards. Merton’s theory combined both structural factors and cultural factors. Structural factors as in society’s unequal opportunity structure and hierarchy of power. Cultural factors as in the emphasis on a person to succeed at all costs, as well as the emphasis on using legitimate means to achieve success. These factors are very relevant in today’s society because there is an enormous gap in class and wealth, and an overwhelming amount of lower class citizens. There are a lot of people who are struggling to make ends meet and will do whatever is necessary to make money. Lower class citizens seem to commit more crimes because they have the most incentive to; due to a lack of wealth. These people will sometimes take extreme measures to acquire what they need to survive.
Merton took Durkheims idea and put a contemporary spin on it by combining structural and cultural factors. Anomie is described by Durkheim as a situation in which cultural norms break down because of cultural change. Merton changes this to go more in depth and describes Anomie as the apparent lack of fit between someones goals and how they achieve them.The social disorganization theory states that depending on where you live, it will cause more or less social deviance. For me, Reading is nearby, and is seen as a run down and violent city. Because ofd their reputation and how people are viewed, it will only increase the deviance that occurs within the city, while cities around my house are seen as safe and secure so there is less likely to be violence in these neighborhoods.
The term anomie is described by Durkheim as a situation in which cultural norms break down because of rapid change. This causes individuals to feel as if they do not fit into society, or they’re at a loss. Merton takes Durkheim’s definition and gives it a bit of a contemporary spin. He defines it as an apparent lack of fit between the cultures norms about what constitutes success in life and the cultures norms about the appropriate ways to achieve that goal. Merton certainly does a better job of defining anomie, simply because Durkheim leaves out the standards of achieving a goal. Merton focuses more on the individual, while Durkheim focuses on the society. Obviously almost any white collar crime is extinguished from this theory, because those individuals are often not detached, and they possess a track to success. This theory does makes sense though, due to the fact of all the crime in poverty stricken areas. When people have little to nothing, they take extreme measures to obtain what it is they want. This often leads to crime.
The term anomie is defined as a situation in which cultural norms break down because of cultural change. That definition was used in Durkheim’s usage but Merton changes the use of anomie a bit. Merton determines a difference between cultural norms and success in life and cultural norms and how to achieve the goals. Anomie is a state of being and gives people the feeling of being lost and not being able to fit into society. It can be hough of as the social breakdown of an individual and society. Anomie really showed through in suicides. When suicides were investigated and looked into, it is shown that the individual that has passed away was not integrated in society and many times felt left out and like they did not belong. I believe in the concept of anomie because there definitely is a disconnection between communities and individuals or groups. I feel as though anomie really happens in less developed areas such as poor towns, big and overpopulated cities, and with minorities. This is because poor communities often feel left out and forgotten from the rest of the world. Anomie, even though created in the late 1800’s, is still very relevant today.